TEENAGE girls have helped to launch a bicycle sharing scheme based on a Continental model.

The students and members of Darlington Cycling Campaign revealed details of Velodarlo, a scheme providing Dutch-style bicycles for a small weekly charge.

Organisers hope it will boost Darlington’s profile as a cycling town.

It is part of Darlington Media Group’s Beauty and the Bike project, which involves a film crew and photographer following a group of young women as they cycle around Darlington, showing that cycling can by stylish.

Shoppers in the town centre were shown the bikes, which were ridden by the girls, some even dressed in ballgowns.

Beatrix Wupperman, from the organisers, said the project was also about combating climate change.

Students showing off the bikes included Kate Pilbeam, who said: “I would like to see more cycle paths on the roads.

Woodland Road can be very busy and you can get overwhelmed because of all the traffic.”

To join Velodarlo, call 01325- 488139 or email velodarlo@mediaworkshop.org.uk