Cycling and walking funding in the capital has seen a £400,000 boost, as Transport for London (TfL) announced new grants for local groups.

Sixty community projects across London received funding last week, and will now run new or expanded schemes to get local residents active.

These include projects for women, disabled and older people, asylum seekers and children.

Groups in almost all parts of the City won funding from TfL – with Hillingdon the only borough with no projects.

The grant scheme offered funding for walking groups for the first time this year, and 26 of the 60 projects encourage residents to step out in their local area.

In Waltham Forest, local schools will run free 12-week BMX courses, partnering with charity Access Sport.

There will also be more BMX classes for young people in Higham Hill.

And the Hornbeam Centre will run a walking group for ethnic minority women, with forest walks to teach about medicinal uses of plants.

In Redbridge, Cycle Sisters will run a group for Muslim women – there will be free bikes to use, cycling classes and group rides.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, wants 80 per cent of journeys in London to be by public transport, walking or cycling by 2041.

Will Norman, London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “There are so many benefits to walking and cycling from keeping fit to improving wellbeing.

“We want everyone in London to experience these benefits regardless of their age, ethnicity or physical or mental health.

“We're looking forward to seeing the results of these inspirational projects, which are bound to encourage even more Londoners from diverse backgrounds to travel more actively around the capital.”