FURNESS MP John Woodcock is getting on his bike to spread the word about a new volunteer force to improve the community.

The former Labour MP hopes to use his independent status to bring people of all political persuasions together to fix local problems.

The first step to creating a new #TeamFurness action force will be a two-day biking tour of the constituency to hear about issues.

There will be 14 stop-off points on the tour, which begins at the Rankin Hall, Askam, on Tuesday morning and concludes at the Brown Cow in Dalton on Wednesday evening.

He said: “I am looking forwards to cycling round to hear people’s issues, but next week will not just be about what I can do on your behalf as your MP - I also want to talk about what more we can do together to help the community.

“No matter what political party you usually support, we all want to see our area doing the best it can and it often feels like political rivalries can get in the way of folk working together to get things done.

“That is why I want people from all political parties and none to unite as one #TeamFurness - a network of volunteers dedicated to tackling local priorities like the state of our streets or whatever matters most to you.

“Initiatives like the Mail’s Big Clean shows that the Furness area is full of local heroes who will roll up their sleeves and get things done. I want to hear from people about what they want to see change.

Mr Woodcock’s full itinerary for the cycle tour is as follows:

Day one (Tuesday: Rankin Hall, Askam (9am to 10.15am), the Burlington, Kirkby (11.30am to 12.30pm), the Greyhound, Grizebeck (1.30pm to 2.30pm), the Square Café, Broughton (3.30pm to 4.30pm), Farmers Arms, Lowick (6.15pm to 7.15pm), the Ship Inn, Greenodd (7.45pm to 8.45pm), Farmers Arms, Ulverston (9.30pm to 10.30pm).

Day two (Wednesday: Rampside Village Hall (9.45am to 10.45am), Gleaston Water Mill (12 midday to 1pm), the General Burgoyne, Great Urswick (1.45pm to 2.45pm), Swarthmoor Hall (3.30pm to 4.30pm), Pennington Memorial Hall (5pm to 6pm), the Railway, Lindal (6.30pm to 7.30pm), the Brown Cow, Dalton (8pm to 9pm).

Just turn up.