NEW bikes from old is the latest challenge for Leominster's Green Team at the Marshfield Centre. They have joined up with the Herefordshire charity Workmatch to transform old and unwanted bicycles into safe, useable pedal pushers again, writes JEN GREEN.

Laura Ferguson from Marshfield is asking people to 'to think twice' before taking old bikes to the skip for disposal and let the green team get their hands on them.

She said: " Bikes can be turned into an almost new one for people who could not otherwise afford one. This provides an inexpensive and healthy means of transport and reduces demand on landfill sites."

The Green Team recycling depot is based next to Leominster Building Supplies close to the all day car.

They will act as the collection point and pass them on to Workmatch for renovation.

Manager Geoff Tunstall said: "We take discarded or unwanted bikes, strip them down, identify the serviceable parts, and refurbish, with the spares from other bikes we construct a usable product.

"The reconditioned bikes are sold on to families or individuals."

Workmatch is a registered charity providing training and employment placements for people with a disability living in Herefordshire.

They run a bicycle-recycling project called 'Spokes' which provides on-site training in various manufacturing processes for trainees to acquire the skills and experience needed to find jobs with local employers.