The funding will be divided across Bristol, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Bournemouth, Devon, and Somerset

An extra £81m is being invested to improve walking, cycling and wheeling routes across the south-west of England.

Managed by the government's Active Travel, the money will be divided across local authorities depending on the councils' capability rating, which measures how well they can organise, plan and deliver travel schemes.

Chris Boardman, commissioner at Active Travel, said the funding is not just about building infrastructure, but also aims to create communities where parents feel confident letting children travel independently. He added: "We are building life back into our streets."

Gloucestershire County Council, which has improved its rating from two out of four to three, is getting the most money at just under £18m.

The West of England Combined Authority, which covers Bristol and parts of Somerset and has a rating of three, will receive £11.8m, while Somerset County Council will benefit from £9.4m.

Wiltshire Council has a rating of one and is receiving £3.1m, while Swindon Borough Council is being given £1.4m and North Somerset £1.3m.

Further afield, the Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Unitary Authority - the only other council in the region with a rating of three - is getting £11.1m, while Devon County Council is receiving £13.4m and Dorset £2.4m.