FORGET Boris Bikes, Hereford will be getting Beryl Bikes this summer.

A new bike share scheme is launching with bicycles distributed at key points in the city.

They can be hired via a Beryl app, which allows them to be unlocked via smartphone.

Beryl is a partner of the London bike share scheme, and will running the Hereford one after agreeing a two-year deal with Herefordshire Council.

Users who download the Beryl app can find the location of 'Beryl bays' - the preferred parking locations to leave the bikes.

But with flexibility in mind users will be able to park the bikes elsewhere for an extra charge, provided they are safely within the scheme area.

There is no cost to the council and Beryl will be responsible for supplying the bikes as well as management and maintenance of the service.

Beryl has experience operating two corporate dockless bike share schemes in London and recently announced a scheme in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Marc Willimont, Acting Assistant Director for Regulatory Environment and Waste Herefordshire Council, said: “The bike share scheme is a welcome addition to the other active travel options offered through our Choose How you Move project.

"Bike share will give more people the opportunity to make short journeys in and across the city by bike, helping to reduce congestion and support increased activity levels.”

Philip Ellis, chief operating officer at Beryl, added: “We are looking forward to opening up cycling to more people. We believe in the power of bringing private and public sector together to collaborate on common goals such as getting more people to choose active transport.”