A YOUTH project helping young people develop mechanical skills while recycling old bicycles is proving a hit in Tilbury.

Eight young people aged between 11 and 14 have been spending Tuesday evenings taking part in the Recycle 2 Cycle project run in partnership between Thurrock Council and the The Re-Use Partnership (TRUP).

Thurrock Council youth workers Angela Surrey and Tom Hopkins, with qualified mechanics Stuart Humphreys and Mike Lara from TRUP, have been working with the young people since September.

The pilot project, which is set to finish before Christmas, aims to teach the basics in bike mechanics as well as inspire those taking part to lead healthy and active lifestyles – using the bikes to get fit.

As a reward for their hard work, at the end of the project the young people will be able to peddle off on the machines which had been donated by the public and which they have been painstakingly rebuilding over the past weeks.

Braidy Harrington, one of the young people taking part in the project, said: “I feel like a real mechanic with dirty hands. This is such a good experience and has made me think about a career in mechanics.”

Youth worker Angela Surrey, added: “This group of young people have got behind this project and grown in confidence every week. Some of them are even talking about future careers in mechanics so not only is it inspiring healthy lifestyles the project is opening up potential career options too.”