A RETIRED policeman helping youngsters in Poland has been handed scores of unwanted bicycles for his charity work.

Pupils at Ravensworth Junior School, in Middlesbrough, donated their old bikes after hearing about Peter Howe's efforts.

Mr Howe, who is planning a sponsored bike ride to Vietnam later this year, is also involved in renovating cycles for children and parents in Poland.

The kind-hearted youngsters answered a plea from headteacher Kevin Skelton not to throw away their old bicycles if Father Christmas was bringing new ones.

Fifteen bikes were handed over to Mr Howe, whose eight-year-old grandson Joe Howe is a pupil at the Normanby school.

He said: "I've been involved in this charity, Aid To Poland, for around ten years and we organise regular three-monthly trips with the bikes.

"This was a wonderful gesture from the school and all the generous pupils.

"This will help bring a lot of smiles to the faces of many Polish children."

Headteacher Mr Skelton said: "I'm delighted with the response we've had from the parents and children.

"We're very much into recycling, in all its forms, and we're delighted that these bikes will continue to serve a very useful purpose."

The school's annual pre-Christmas raffle of chocolate has also donated £25 of its proceeds to the Vietnam bike trek challenge.

Mr Howe and his wife Barbara, who both battled against cancer, will cycle 500 miles in two weeks, raising money for the Youth Cancer Trust and the Celebration of Life After Cancer.