Bikes which are forgotten, lost or abandoned on the railways are being put back on the road thanks to a Stevenage-based community project.

The Wheels Community Youth Project, based in the town’s Broadwater Cresent, is being given the unwanted machines as part of a new scheme put together by train operator Great Northern and British Transport Police.

By stripping the bikes down, cleaning and rebuilding them, young people from the town are learning practical employable skills that can help them find work.

They also keep the bikes and use them to get to job interviews.

Gary Wilson of Great Northern said: “It’s very rewarding. The police are excellent at reuniting bikes with their owners but where they’ve been abandoned or an owner cannot be found, we know we can get them to Wheels to teach skills and provide transport for young people.”

Project volunteer Kevin Jones said: “We are very grateful. This will help our learners learn valuable everyday repair skills and develop patience. We are looking forward to this new partnership to help secure the project for the future.”