TWO sports stars are urging youngsters to make the most of the region's award-winning bike libraries.

The plea has been issued by gold-medal-winning Paralympian Hannah Cockroft and junior time trial world champion Tom Pidcock.

Both have been appointed ambassadors to the Yorkshire Bank Bike Library project.

The initiative, set-up in the wake of the hugely successful Tour de France Grand Depart in 2014 and the Tour de Yorkshire, aims to give every child in the county access to a bicycle.

As part of the scheme, unwanted cycles handed in at one of 62 donation stations are refurbished and made available to hire for free.

There are nearly 50 bike libraries across Yorkshire, including one run at University Academy Keighley and Keighley CyKle.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: "It's a heart-warming project and I'm proud to have Hannah and Tom on board."

Tom said the scheme was "a great way" for children to learn to ride a bike.

"The popularity of cycling in Yorkshire since the 2014 Grand Depart has been incredible and now we have the Tour de Yorkshire to look forward to every year," said the 18-year-old.

"I believe the interest levels will continue to grow over the next few years and I look forward to encouraging and inspiring as many kids as possible to start cycling."

For more details about the bike libraries, visit bikelibraries.yorkshire.com.

Anyone wishing to borrow a bike at the Keighley outlet is advised to call 01535 210333 in advance to guarantee availability.