FOUR unloved bicycles have been donated to a Redcar organisation that helps people with learning disabilities.

Community training centre Westfield Farm donated the bikes to Route One Coffee and Bicycle shop, which trains people with learning disabilities as mechanics who service, repair and build bikes.

The bikes are then sold on at affordable prices.

Route One is a co-operative, with all profits from the bike shop invested back into the workshop to pay for trips, materials and training for its members.

It also runs a bike-friendly coffee shop below the workshop offering cyclists a chance grab a bite to eat whilst they wait for a repair.

Barry McBride, Westfield Farm Coordinator for Coast & Country Housing, said: “We had the bikes for a while and they weren’t being used as much as we would have liked. We had to store them outside and it seemed a shame for them to go rusty when someone else could be enjoying them."

Colin Howes, Business Manager at Route One, said: “We’re always grateful for donations and accept bikes in almost any condition as our team can restore and repair most damage. Even if they can’t be restored, the guys in the workshop can use the parts to make a new bike, or repair another.

“It’s important that we have a steady stream of bicycles to work on so that our clients can continue to hone their skills and fund the services that they love.

"We would encourage anyone with a bike rusting in the back garden or sitting unused in the garage, to get in touch with us and we’ll do our best to give it a new lease of life.”

Anyone wanting to donate or buy bikes can contact Route One at 3 Queen Street, Redcar, near the Clock Tower, or call 01642 913433.