YOUNG people who have fallen on hard times have set up their own bike club with help from a charity which helps young homeless people.

Ten Tees Valley YMCA residents cycled from Darlington to Stockton yesterday tomark the opening of their new club, becoming the first North-East group from the national charity to set up a bike club.

The residents set up the group themselves, with help from national cycling charity Bike Club and Tees Valley YMCA's Motiv8.

They applied for and secured £2,000 to pay for ten mountain bikes and will be using them to explore trails in forests throughout the Teesside and County Durham areas.

It is hoped the club will help the young people to improve their fitness and become more independent.

The group kicked off the club by cycling 11 miles from Darlington YMCA to Stockton YMCA.

Motiv8's Darrel Slater, who is a trained cycle leader, said: "The young people approached me to see if we could set up a club to get them more involved in cycling.

"The young people are all YMCA residents and many are not in mainstream education, employment or training.

"It is a great opportunity for them to get fit and increase their independence, while getting to uncover more of the local countryside by bike."

Bike Club officer Andrew Thorp said: "Darrel and the YMCA approached me with the idea of doing more cycling activities.

"Using their enthusiasm for cycling, I was able to help them in checking cycle routes and planning activities to do in the club. Everything is now in place for the group to get the most out of cycling.

"We have some tired legs today but hopefully everyone has enjoyed it."

Adam Gill, 20, one of the young people involved in the project, said: "I have not done any cycling for six years, but I am enjoying it. I like it."

For details on how to start up a Bike Club, call Andrew Thorp on 07825-854731 or email andrew.thorp@bikeclub.org.uk