Five new places to park bicycles have been installed across a town centre often clogged by traffic congestion.

Known as “Bikehangars”, the idea is to encourage more people to cycle in Maidstone.

The partnership between Maidstone council and Cyclehoop aims to reduce traffic and air pollution.

The storage spaces have been set up in King Street Car Park, Medway Street Car Park, County Hall, High Street and Barker Road.

The Cyclehoop Trips initiative ties in with the council’s Climate Change and Biodiversity Plan to encourage people to use more eco-friendly forms of transport.

The council’s director for regeneration and place, William Cornall, said: “The installation of the new Bikehangars in the town centre is great news and marks a significant step forward for cycling accessibility in Maidstone.

“As a keen cyclist myself, I know how important it is to have access to safe and secure storage for my bike and these provide the perfect solution.”

Cyclists will be able to park at the units using the Cyclehoop App with costs starting at 15p for half an hour.

Founder and design director of Cyclehoop, Anthony Lau, said: “We’re excited to bring Trips to Maidstone – the first units on the service in the south of England.

“Creating a network around the country enables cyclists to travel anywhere, knowing that they will find secure destination parking when they arrive at their journey’s end.”