Cut-price bikes which have been refurbished by prisoners to help them upskill and rehabilitate could prove the perfect last-minute gift.

Swale council’s Cycle-re-Cycle scheme will see 30 bicycles up for grabs between 10am and midday tomorrow (December 20) in Swale House car park in Sittingbourne.

More than 150 bikes refurbished by HMP Swaleside inmates have already been sold for £10 each through local community groups.

The scheme, which has been hailed as being self-funding and sustainable, also gives prisoners the chance to upskill and make a positive step towards rehabilitation.

It also aims to provide Swale residents with affordable, environmentally friendly transportation, that helps them keep active and healthy.

Cllr Rich Lehman (Green), who is chairman of the environment and climate change committee, said: “Our Cycle-re-Cycle scheme is a clever way to turn something that would usually end up in the rubbish - unwanted bikes - into something that benefits Swale in a number of impactful ways.

“Through the scheme prisoners are able to work towards their rehabilitation and get a City & Guilds qualification which gives them a platform to restart their lives after serving their time.”

The council funded the initial supply of bike parts and workshop goods, while Canterbury Bike Project trained an instructor to deliver the City & Guilds qualification at the prison.

If you have a roadworthy bike with two wheels and two brakes that you would like to donate, drop it off at the donation point at the Sheerness Household Waste Recycling Centre, along with new or good-condition used parts.

Cllr Lehman said: “Thank you to our partners who have helped make this scheme such a success, to all those who have donated bikes and to the charities who have helped us get them back into the community.

“We look forward to continuing this work in the New Year and growing the scheme, so keep an eye out for more donation and sale days coming up.”