BIKES bought for Christmas can be security marked for free to help deter thieves.

Clinics are being held in Richmondshire over the next month, with neighbourhood police teams providing free identification marking and advice.

The scheme is funded by the district community safety partnership, which has bought 600 marking kits.

Partnership chairman Liz Smith said: "It is not surprising that key times for bike thefts are during the summer months and just after Christmas. By offering the marking free of charge, we hope to secure a lot of cycles and reduce the risk of thefts in our area."

Retailers are also supporting the scheme - Arthur Caygill cycles on Richmond's Gallowfields trading estate will mark cycles bought as presents.

Cycle-marking clinics will be held in Richmond market hall on Thursday, from 5pm to 9pm. Other sessions are at Colburn village hall on Wednesday, December 27, from 11am to 2pm; Catterick Garrison police station on Friday, December 29, from 11am to 2pm; Booth Memorial Hall, Catterick village, on December 31, from 11am to 2pm; Leyburn police station, on Wednesday, January 3, from 9.30am to noon and 1pm to 4pm; and Richmond Town Hall on January 13, from 9am to 5pm.