Some 800 local people have been helped to a healthier lifestyle thanks to a unique project that recycles bikes.

The Great Yarmouth Bike Project was set up three years ago, and found a permanent home on North Drive.

It helps to recycle bikes, teaches people how to build their own, and runs cycle-to-school projects among other things.

This year, thanks to Sport England funding, it is expanding its reach to cut anti-social behaviour and encourage lapsed riders.

Manager Simon Elliott said: “We work really hard to attract national and local funding and sponsorships. This allows us to target specific community groups in the town and participants can access the projects for free. Participants are offered training, supported, guided and supplied with new and recycled parts to build a bike for themselves and then coached and inspired to ride it away.

“This appears to be a unique model and one we are really proud of.”

Local sponsors include Seajacks and Pedal Revolution. Funders include local authorities, health services and Norfolk police.

Blair Ainslie, managing director of Seajacks, said: “When the team came to see me and told me of their plans I wanted to find a way for Seajacks to support this amazing project.

“The work they undertake in the town makes a difference to people and Seajacks are delighted to have helped and supported the local community. We encourage our staff to cycle, keep active and get the most from life and the Great Yarmouth Bike Project is a terrific inspiration to all of us.”

Neil Turner, director of Pedal Revolution, founder of Activating CIC and organizer of the Tour de Broads added: “The Great Yarmouth Bike Project has allowed us to introduce cycling, free sustainable transport and family fun to a wide range of families and individuals in the town. It has exceeded my expectations. Simon, his team of staff and volunteers do an amazing job to transform lives and remove the barriers to an active lifestyle using cycling as the vehicle. This project is not about cycling infrastructure, it’s about inspiring local people to enjoy cycling and enable them to do it. Long may the project continue, I can’t wait to see the 1000th bike recycled and ridden away by an enthusiastic new owner.”

The project also reaches out to vulnerable groups.

This year the Great Yarmouth Bike Project has a new Sport England funded project - a free 10 week programme of activities for people who want to get back into cycling.

Anybody interested in enrolling should contact the Great Yarmouth Bike Project through Facebook.

If you would like to build yourself a bike, volunteer, sponsor or commission a project for your community group then contact simon.elliott@activatingcic.co.uk.