YOUNG offenders have come to the rescue of a deaf young man who lost his only means of transport - his bike.

Paul Scott, 16, used his bicycle to go everywhere, but when it broke he found it was so badly damaged he could not afford to get it repaired.

But workers at the Gateshead Deaf Young People's Group, which meets at the St Mark's Youth Project in Durham Road, heard about a scheme operated by the Gateshead Youth Offending Team.

Under the scheme, they refurbish old unclaimed bikes and give them to worthy causes.

Paul's new bicycle is one of dozens to be refurbished by young offenders who are required by courts to undertake some form of practical activity which will benefit the community.

The youth offending team came up with the idea of putting young people to work on unclaimed bicycles supplied by the police.

The team is now looking for community groups or charities who might be able to use refurbished bicycles.

Anyone who is interested should contact reparation officer Greg Wheatley on 0191-440 0500.