CHILDREN are gearing up for plenty of two-wheeled fun after 30 bikes were given to their schools.

Charity Leigh Neighbours and social enterprise Gearing Up donated the second-hand bikes to two infant schools in a bid to help some young children learn how to ride and enable others to improve their skills.

Children at Leigh CE Infant School and Leigh St John’s CE Infant School were thrilled to received the bikes and have been making full use of them.

Natalie Hatton, deputy head at Leigh St John’s Infant School, said: “It’s not often you get something for nothing.

"We are very grateful to both Gearing Up and Leigh Neighbours for this kind donation, which will be put to great use.

"A lot of our children are learning to cycle for the first time, and from what I’ve seen so far they are having a fantastic time.

"Since the bikes were dropped off at least 10 children have learnt to ride a bike in our after school club – after only three sessions."

The bikes were originally donated to cycle recyclers Gearing Up, which specialises in giving old bikes a new lease of life.

Simon Dale from Gearing Up said: “It was great to see how the children reacted to the bikes when we dropped them off at the schools.

"Learning to ride a bike is an important rite of passage for children, so clearly this means the world to them.

"Not only are recycled bikes good for the environment they will also bring lots of pleasure to the children.”