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

The MP, who left Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party earlier this year, hopes to use his independent status to bring people 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 meet residents and hear about their issues.

There will be 14 stop-off points on John’s #TeamFurness 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 forward 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. On my bike tour and in the weeks ahead, I want to hear from people about what they want to see change in their area and how they might be prepared to lend a hand in making it happen.

“Being part of #TeamFurness might be offering to join in a tidy-up on their street or agreeing to help collect signatures for a local cause like volunteers did to save the Ulverston post office.

“Let’s put aside the yah-boo that can put people off politics for a while and focus on coming together to make a difference to the wonderful community in which we live. Many hands can make light work so I hope lots of people will want to be involved. Either way, do pop along to one of the venues to say hi, though I will apologise in advance as I may be clad in Lycra and a bit sweaty.”

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

Day one (Tuesday, September 25): 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, September 26): 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 (7pm to 8pm).

There is no need to make an appointment, just turn up at the appointed time.

The #TeamFurness tour comes as John prepares to leave the Barrow office in Hartington Street he has been sharing with the local Labour Party since he became an MP in 2010.

Ahead of his team moving out on Friday 21 September, John said: “There are lots of memories from Hartington Street but it is time to move on and I am excited about the prospect of opening new premises in Barrow town centre soon.

“In the meantime, my Ulverston office on Cavendish Street will be open as usual after next week and people can get in touch with me and my team by emailing john.woodcock.mp@parliament.uk or writing to me at the House of Commons.

“I am proud to be the first member of parliament ever to have a permanent Ulverston office and also really looking forward to a new start in the heart of Barrow town centre once we get through local planning regulations.”