Scotland's first purpose built cycle circuit has been officially unveiled in Fife.

Provost Jim Leishman and record-breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont officially opened the new facilities in Lochgelly on Wednesday.

The aim of the £2.4m facility is to put central Fife at the forefront of Scottish cycling and promote the Kingdom as "number one" in Scotland for outdoor activities.

Jim Leishman said: "I just stay up the road so this was a childhood playground for me, and it's now become a childhood playground for many, many youngsters."

The circuit allows for a full range of activities to take place in a traffic free environment all year round, with the total distance reaching 1.6km.

Visitors will choose from a variety of circuit configurations, with several groups being able to use the facility at the same time.

"It's been a long time in the planning - it's the first in Scotland, and it couldn't be a safer space to learn to ride a bike, right through to the top end with racing," said Mark Beaumont.

"There's a play area in the middle for kids to get on their balance bike, the outer track has no curbs and it's flood lit - it's just a fantastic resource.

"Hopefully we'll see more of this in Scotland."