Transport Scotland has earmarked £6.4m to construct a series of walking and cycling routes throughout Scotland.

The money will be put towards 104 walking and cycling schemes and will help link communities with schools and shops, according to The Courier.

The Community Links Programme is administered by sustainable transport charity Sustrans.

Under the initiative, statutory bodies are invited to bid for a share of the money provided that they can provide the matching funds. It is understood bidders have already been informed whether or not they have been successful in securing a share of the money.

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Graeme Brown, Construction Projects Officer at Sustrans said they had received a "record number of applications" for the Community Links Programme.

He added: "We have been working hard to carefully select the projects that best meet our criteria and have just informed partners whether or not they have been successful.

"The installation of cycling and walking facilities gives people the opportunity to travel by foot or bike more often. This saves them money, brings enormous health benefits and just generally creates a more pleasant environment in which to live.

"Sustrans is committed to ensuring that communities are better connected with their surroundings, with their local facilities and, most importantly, with each other."

(JP/CD)