Old bicycles from RAF Wittering near Stamford are to be recycled by inmates at HMP Stocken Prison in Rutland as part of the My Bike Project

Old bicycles from an RAF station are to be recycled by inmates at a Rutland prison.

Over the years, RAF Wittering has accumulated a lot of bikes because personnel sometimes leave them behind when they move station or retire from service.

However, the My Bike project, a joint initiative between HMP Stocken and Rutland County Council, has gladly received them and they will be restored by inmates at the prison.

The collection of dozens of bikes last week was arranged by Diane Coates, executive officer of support wing at RAF Wittering, and Stephen Turville and Ray Goodliffe, instructional officers at HMP Stocken.

Diane said: “I was listening to Rutland Radio, they explained the scheme and it seemed like a really good idea so I got in touch.”

The inmates are studying for a City and Guilds qualification in cycle mechanics and hundreds of bikes have been recycled.

Once allocated to the inmate, the bikes are cleaned, completely stripped down and the components checked to make sure they are still safe to use.

Ray Goodliffe, said: “The inmates seem to thoroughly enjoy it because they are giving something back to charity.

“Some of them have actually gone on to work at bike shops.”

Once restored, most bikes donated to the My Bike project, are given free of charge to families, individuals, charities and hospices across Rutland.

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