MORE young people in North Yorkshire will soon be able to get on their bikes for work or training.

For a charity has just taken delivery of 22 new mopeds for a scheme which provides vital transport for rural areas.

The latest model Honda 50cc mopeds have arrived at Bedale dealership George Dawkins, ready for deployment by Wheels 2 Work where they will help to meet soaring demand for the charity's services.

All the 18 existing mopeds are in use and there is a hefty waiting list.

The Northallerton charity's rural transport co-ordinator, Andrew Johnston, said 12 of the bikes would boost the fleet in Hambleton and Richmondshire to 30.

The other ten would go to Harrogate, where a Wheels 2 Work pilot scheme was being launched.

Operative since May 2001, Wheels 2 Work is run under the rural transport partnership and managed by Northallerton Volunteer Service Association.

"We help young people in rural areas access work or training by leasing the mopeds to them for a nominal fee of £2.50 a week, all in," said Mr Johnston. "They have the vehicles for six months, after which we hope they can get their own transport.

"The scheme is very well used. We hope increasing the fleet will go a long way to meeting the demand."

In its first 12 months, Wheels 2 Work helped 40 young people to get to work. Of those, 14 secured apprenticeships.

The new mopeds - which sell for about £1,800 each - will hit the road in April, catering for aged 16-25.

Mr Johnston said the scheme had been relatively trouble-free so far. "Most young people look after the bike well, realising it has given them independence and access to work."

To qualify, people must not have any suitable alternative transport and live within the district, which stretches from Kildale, through Stokesley and Great Ayton and across to Richmondshire.

"They have to really need this help. It is not a luxury," said Mr Johnston.

The travel limit is about 20 miles with a minimum distance of four or five miles.

The scheme is run by Mr Johnston and colleague Alan Lund, with help from VSA facilities. "If demand continues to rise, we may have to look at buying yet more mopeds and we would then need funding to employ another person as the workload would be too much," he said.

Contact Wheels 2 Work on 01609 761682 or get details from JobCentres