THE North-East is to get its first fully-staffed, secure cycle park next month.

The £70,000 facility - created by green charity Middlesbrough Environment City (MEC) - will be free of charge and will offer cyclists showers, toilets, changing facilities and lockers.

People wanting to use the centre, which has been funded with Government cash and £20,000 from Middlesbrough Council, will have to become members.

MEC's Paul Taylor said: "It is an exciting, innovative facility for all cyclists and, as far as we know, it's the first of its kind in the North-East."

The facility, in Gilkes Street, will be open from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.