DISCARDED bikes have helped disadvantaged youngsters get their first paid job.

Oxford-based charity Trax teamed up with the county council last year to teach young people repair skills by giving bikes left at household recycling centres a new lease of life.

Now the charity has won a grant from the Telegraph Subscriber Community Fund to offer paid employment.

Eight former bike refurbishment students can pass on their skills to the scheme’s new recruits.

The charity teaches youngsters how to refurbish the bikes, give a full safety check, and the students get to keep them at the end of the project.

Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for growth and infrastructure, Hilary Hibbert-Biles, said: “People bring really good quality bikes to our recycling centres, and it’s great to see them being used again on this project, helping young people learn new skills and promoting cycling.”

Trax manager Lyndon Biddle added: “The children have the opportunity to become much more active and, who knows, potentially a Bradley Wiggins or Victoria Pendleton of the future.”