A cycling group in Worcester have launched a scheme to refurbish and recycle old bikes.

Bike Worcester wants to help local people to make more healthy, sustainable travel choices with affordable bikes, as well as reducing the environmental impact of sending old bikes for scrap.

The purpose of the Bike Recycling scheme is to create value from bikes that would otherwise be left unused or sent for scrap metal.

The volunteer-led scheme will mean that people in Worcester will have more access to affordable bikes.

The plans have been based on other successful schemes in the area, including Evesham, Malvern and Cheltenham.

Bike Worcester is working with Worcester Council and are exploring relationships with local charities to find people who are most in need of affordable bikes.

Bike Worcester have already been donated a few children's bikes meaning they will be able to help parents who cannot afford to keep buying ever bigger bikes for their growing children.

As well as providing immediate enjoyment, the group hopes this will nudge children towards healthy habits and sustainable travel choices that stay with them for life.

The group supports a number of family-focused initiatives for active travel, including Bike Bus for cycling to school and Kidical Mass.

A spokesperson for Bike Worcester, said: "By recycling bikes, rather than letting them be scrapped, we are greatly reducing the raw materials and energy consumption compared to making a new bike and disposing of an old one.

"This sustainability and energy saving benefit is really important right now and for the future.

"If you have a bike that your children or grandchildren have grown out of – maybe they have new bikes for Christmas – or you have a bike that’s sitting unused in your garage or shed, please donate it.

The easiest way to donate a bike is to bring it to the indoor bike parking area in Crowngate Shopping Centre, opposite Vision Express on Friary Walk, just off Angel Place.

When you arrive, use the intercom on the outside door or call the Centre on 01905 610065 to let the security staff know you are there, and they will come and secure it or take it directly to our store.

If you have several bikes to donate, please phone ahead, so the team can arrange for you to drive into Crowngate’s loading area and have someone meet you and take the bikes.