LEDBURY Area Cycle Forum (LACF) is on a mission to introduce the joy of cycling to as many local primary age youngsters as possible.

And community kindness and support is making it all possible.

In total nine local primary schools will each receive eight "balance bikes" which are specially designed to help children gain confidence in their abilities, when learning to cycle.

A batch has already been delivered to Ledbury Primary, shortly followed by a delivery to Colwall Primary.

A Cycle Forum spokesman said: "The bikes together with helmets, pump and toolkit, have been funded jointly by LACF, Ledbury Town Council, Tesco Ledbury, Ledbury Rotary and Ledbury and District Civic Society, as well as other anonymous donors.

"The initiative was spearheaded by LACF and coordinated by Bella Johnson. Deliveries of the new bikes began this week."

Helen Webb, Head at Colwall Primary School said, “The bikes are great – our reception class children in particular will benefit hugely from learning the basics of control and balance.”

Bella Johnson added, “Learning to ride a bike is a really important childhood milestone. As well as being a lot of fun and great for boosting self-confidence, it helps to support a healthy lifestyle and reduce car-dependency in the long term. This project has been organised alongside LACFs work to improve safe routes throughout the town.

"The response has been tremendous: from the many enthusiastic sponsors, from Dan Lowndes of Halfords who sorted out the order and delivery to the schools, and from the children and teachers who are really excited to receive the balance bikes. In any one year around 250 children will enjoy riding them”.