PEOPLE who receive a new bike for Christmas are being asked not to scrap their old one.

Stockton Borough Council is launching a community bicycle recycling scheme early in the new year.

All bikes, in any condition, can be dropped off at a number of roadshows.

These will be held at Asda, Portrack Lane, Stockton, on January 16, from 10am to 2pm; Billingham Forum, on January 17, from 10am to 2pm; Whinstone Primary School, Ingleby Barwick, on January 23, from 9am to 10am; and Elm Tree Community Centre, Stockton, on January 25, from 1pm to 3.45pm.

Unwanted bikes can also be taken to the permanent collection point at the household waste recycling centre, at Haverton Hill.

Councillor Steve Nelson, cabinet member for the environment, said: "Thousands of old or unwanted bicycles are unnecessarily scrapped every year.

"The aim of this scheme is to take disused or unwanted bikes from the Stockton public, refurbish them, then redistribute them free or at a minimal cost to disadvantaged members of the community."

For details of the nearest collection point, call 01642-391959.