Four Samworth Church Academy students received bikes as a reward for their commitment to schooling.

Other learners were able to get their bikes security tagged and receive locks from Nottinghamshire Police in a partnership that also involved Mansfield District Council.

The bikes were unclaimed ones recovered by police and a new one donated by Nix Cycles, Sutton.

Year 7 student Lexi-Jade Frew, one recipient of a bike, said: “I am very excited because it takes me ages to walk to and from school.

“I did have a bike in the past, but it got broken. I am really pleased to have been given a new one and a lock.”

Fellow ‘winner’ Charlotte Kissane added: “I have never had a bike before, and I am looking forward to learning how to ride it. I didn’t know this was going to happen today.”

Two further students, Cordon Smith and Cherry Dobson, also received bikes.

Hannah Crosby, who helps to lead work to support students at the academy, said. “The partnership Samworth has built with the police and council has been positive.”

Rebecca Mathias, of the council’s Community Safety Team, added: “We were lucky enough to receive Police Crime Commissioner funding and put together the scheme with Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.

“West Notts College has assisted us in making recovered and old bikes ready for use, for us to gift to young people in south Mansfield and Oak Tree areas. These areas in particular have been affected by an increase in bike thefts.”

The scheme is not only gifting unclaimed bikes to young people of all ages but is also helping to provide a tracing service should bikes be stolen or lost said Rebecca.”

PCSO Cyrus Crowder, of Nottinghamshire Police, said it was good that so many students got involved.