THE company responsible for putting rear-view mirrors in cycle helmets has secured a deal with Halfords.

Reevu, now based in Washington, Wearide, will see its innovative design stocked in 50 of the car maintenance group's specialist Bikehut stores nationwide.

The helmets are being seen as a major step forward in road safety as a specially-constructed system of mirrors allows cyclists and motorbike riders to see traffic behind them without turning their heads.

The system itself is made from bullet proof ABS, which is much lighter and safer than glass or metal, yet is virtually unbreakable. The only maintenance required is to periodically rinse the helmet with warm water. It possesses all the usual safety features required from cycle helmets and is fully accredited by all UK road safety bodies.

With more than 400 stores across the UK and an annual turnover in excess of £500m, Halfords is one of the largest non-food retailers in the UK.

The Bikehut stores where the Reevu helmets will be stocked are all within Arcade Halfords.

They are all staffed by bike specialists with expert knowledge of both products and customer needs.

The helmet, which took seven years to develop, is available in 20 countries, and the company is in talks with a number of agencies to spread this distribution network to every cycle market.

The innovative British design is protected by strong patents, and the company believes it has the potential to sell up to 50,000 helmets in the UK every year.

Billy Morgan, chief executive of Reevu, said: "I am delighted that Halfords has become the first major national bike equipment retailer to stock the Reevu helmet. Our objective is to make the Reevu one of the leading sports and leisure brands in the UK and around the world."