OLYMPIC star Jason Kenny's love for cycling began when he was a teenager .... on a black and red BMX.

Now his childhood bike has gone on display in Bolton in a bid to inspire future cyclists in the town.

Cycle ace Jason, who is from Farnworth, rode the Kona Main BMX as a teenager but it will now take pride of place at Bolton Central Library, in Le Mans Crescent.

The Farnworth flyer cemented his status as a Bolton hero after grabbing three more gold medals at the Rio Olympics and taking his lifetime haul to six.

The bike has been loaned to Bolton Library and Museum Services by fellow Farnworth resident Rob Tyler, who bought it at a local church auction 18 months ago.

The bike had been donated to the Our Lady of Lourdes church in Farnworth by Jason's parents Michael and Lorraine, who attend the church.

It was being auctioned off for £70 and dad-of-two Rob snapped it up.

The 42-year-old said: "I was at the bar and then I heard the priest say it was Jason's old bike so I thought it would be great to buy and then try and do something with it to help inspire other kids to get active and also raise funds for the church, where my mum is the warden."

Rob, who works in education, admits he isn't a keen cyclist and the bike has been gathering dust in the garage since he bought it.

He said: “I had this idea in my head that I could donate it to the Jason Kenny Centre or Bolton Council but I struggled to find the right person to speak to."

Eventually he got through to the council, which was pleased to take the bike on loan and display it in the library.

Rob said: "It is an ordinary bike from an ordinary lad, I want youngsters to see that you don't have to have a superstar bike to be a superstar."

Bolton Council’s cabinet member for culture, youth and sport, Cllr John Byrne, said: “We are so glad Rob was put in touch with us as we love to help out in situations like this.

"Jason is Bolton’s very own sporting hero, and we’re extremely proud to have the opportunity to display the BMX he rode as a child.”

The bike will be affixed to the wall of the Children’s Library, with plans to transfer it to Farnworth Library at a later date.

Don't miss our 16 page Jason Kenny supplement in the Bolton News on Saturday.