A local branch of a charity giving people with limited mobility cycle rides has been saved by an outpouring of community support.

Cycling Without Age Weymouth has been saved from having to close after the garage it had been using to store its bikes became unavailable.

Brian Kitchin - who had kindly been lending the charity space for its bikes on Greenhill Court for the past three years - sadly passed away, meaning the charity needed to find a new space before the deadline of Sunday, December 11.

Thankfully after a plea on Facebook, the charity received an outpouring of support and has been able to find at least a temporary solution to keep its Weymouth operation going.

Des Lochrie, chairman of Cycling Without Age, said: “It is fantastic, so many people have passed this on and shared it, and through these, we managed to get in contact with Weyline. Great support from locals.

“Without a place in Weymouth, we would have had to stop our service there and take the bikes to Dorchester or Portland.”

Cycling Without Age is an international charity with branches across the world set up to combat loneliness among people who are housebound.

In Dorset it has since branched out from Weymouth to Portland, and further afield including areas Bridport and Dorchester.

Riders use battery-operated trishaw bikes which come from Denmark. The charity offers rides from more than 20 volunteer 'pilots', helping elderly and vulnerable people travel across the area through volunteer riders.

Currently, two locations have been made available. One from Weymouth Town Council, and another kindly offered for free by Weyline Taxis on Edwards Street.

Ian Ferguson - managing director at Weyline - was happy to help, he said: “A friend tagged me on Facebook to the plea so I rang Des to see what we could do.

“It is not a huge gesture for us, but it really helps them. I happen to have some spare empty space and am pleased to help.

“We should have a society where it is the norm for people to jump out and help each other. They were under a bit of pressure and just needed someone to help, which I am pleased to offer.”

A Weymouth Town Council spokesperson said: “We were approached by Cycling Without Age to help store their trishaws and have been able to offer a temporary storage solution until they find a more permanent base.”

The charity has yet to make a final decision on how to proceed but is thankful for the support and to have space available at least temporarily whilst they search for a permanent solution.