SEVEN schemes to encourage schoolchildren and workers in the North-East to get cycling have been announced after Government funding was guaranteed.

Transport Minister Kim Howells said the region will get nearly £135,000 to build bike sheds in schools and create other services for cyclists.

The announcement comes during National Bike Week and is part of 155 cycling projects across the country.

The fund-winning schemes include projects to provide cycle parking, safe routes to school, National Cycle Network routes, local cycling routes, workplace projects and cycle training.

The successful projects are:

Laurence Jackson School, Guisborough: 40 secure cycle parking places for pupils to encourage cycling to school. £8,000.

Tollesby School, Middlesbrough: To buy bikes for a loan scheme to encourage pupils to cycle to school, together with regular cycle maintenance classes to complement improved cycle parking at the school. £2,300.

Grangefield School and Technology College, Stockton: A cycle compound with 40 Sheffield stands and improved changing facilities. £30,000.

Sustrans, Tees Valley: High quality cycle storage for the students at eight schools and one adult learning centre in the West Redcar area. £50,000.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust: Secure cycle parking to encourage employees to cycle to work at the University Hospital of North Tees. £23,887.

Bydales School, Redcar: Funding for 40 cycle lockers to increase the number of pupils cycling to school. £4,000.

Tees Forest Development Company, Middlesborough: Funding to establish a scheduled bus service carrying 20 bikes between Middlesborough and Dalby Forest in the North York Moors National Park. £16,525.