THE Bromsgrove branch of Halfords is encouraging townsfolk to hand over their old bikes to support an initiative changing lives in Africa.

The branch of the bike retailer, in Birmingham Road, is inviting customers to give them any old bikes lying around or abandoned in garages and garden sheds.

The generosity will be rewarded, as anyone handing in old bikes will be offered 10 per cent off the price of a new model as well as knowing their old ones have gone to a good cause.

Halfords has launched the scheme in partnership with the charity Re-Cycle. Old bikes will be refurbished and distributed to Africa.

The bikes will be put to good use, helping health workers reach communities in need, children get to school, and farmers transport goods to market.

Re-Cycle not only transports bikes to Africa, they also teach the bike users how to repair and maintain the cycles, providing employment and improving lives in a sustainable way.

Halfords’ CEO Matt Davies said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for customers to trade-in their old bikes, get 10 per cent off a new one if they want to and help a great cause too.

"Bikes can transform the lives of people in Africa and our work with Re-Cycle is an exciting example of where recycling can make a real difference.”

Merlin Matthews, the founder of Re-Cycle, added: “We’re really excited about the trade-in event, which is part of our long-term partnership with Halfords and helps in our ambition – to get access to all those unwanted bikes and raise awareness of how people here can very easily assist those in need in Africa."

Bikes most in demand are sturdy mountain bikes for teenagers and adults. All bikes will be accepted though, provided they are in a reasonable condition with no cracks in the frame and less than 25 per cent rust.

For more information visit halfords.com/re-cycle, or see re-cycle.org.