A RECYCLING expert is calling on people to donate their disused bikes to a new cycling scheme.

Chris Blomeley, from Repair, Reuse, Recycle in Colchester, is hoping to set up a bike hire scheme to attract tourists as well as helping people get to work or school.

He is training a group of five young people to fix broken bikes to sell or hire out.

Chris said: “The young people are from a diverse range of backgrounds.

“It has been fantastic.

“They had their first official working day and they were very hands on and were getting stuck in without a word from me.

“I’m very excited as there isn’t enough vocational training for people who are struggling to stay in mainstream education.

“We want them to feel at home working with us.”

The young people will have their first official cycle repair training day in Cambridge on June 12 and they will graduate a month later.

Chris is now asking for people to donate their bikes to the cause.

He said: “We will come and collect them and these young people are able to repair them and sell them on for between £20 and £40.

“The money will go back into the project for tools or spare parts.”

And Chris has plans for promoting cycling too.

He wants to create a cycle route along the River Colne going from Castle Park to Brightlingsea.

If successful, Chris hopes the project could be up and running by the summer and people will be able to hire some of the bikes to use.

Chris is in talks with Colchester Council leader Mark Cory (Lib Dem) and Lee Scordis (Lab) about finding a new storage and operation space in the town centre.

He said: “We want people to be able to hire bikes from a central location.

“It will be massive for people who can’t afford a bike.”

Chris has also been providing bikes to children at Monkwick Junior School in Colchester so they can practise safely riding bikes at home.

Repair Reuse Recycle, which is a community interest company, is based in Queen Street, Colchester.

Its aim is to help people repair and reuse household electrical items to save on waste and dumped items.

To donate a bike call Chris on 07799 494797.