SIXTEEN boys and girls aged between ten and 12 have been taking advantage of a unique safe cycling scheme in Pewsey.

It is believed to be the only cycling proficiency scheme in the country which is run by police officers during school holidays and on public roads.

Until about 1990 police at Pewsey went into the schools to help teach children how to ride their bicycles safely.

Former sergeant Martin Murphy decided to take children away from the safety of their playgrounds and teach them on the roads where they would actually be riding their bikes. Since then the police officers at Pewsey have run the holiday safe cycling scheme on the estate roads.

Last week 16 boys and girls were shown how to ride safely on public roads with other traffic about. They were instructed by former special policewoman Di Myall who has been involved with the scheme since it started, Sgt John Coppen, the Pewsey area police commander, PC Chris Mead, PC Gary Sears and Special PC John Wilding.

All the children passed with flying colours.