STUDENTS are getting on their bikes to help combat congestion on one of the busiest roads in C rewe.

Friends at South Cheshire College have been taking part in cycle training sessions within the Dane Bank Avenue campus as part of a £25,000 Cheshire County Council-funded safety scheme.

The Let's Bike sessions are designed to encourage more young people to use cycles but ensure they ride in safety and develop road sense.

The scheme also aims to get more people cycling, taking pressure off congested routes into Crewe and the bottle-neck round Nantwich Road and Dane Bank where there are two schools and a college.

Entry level students have been involved in Wednesday afternoon sessions, with the grounds in front of the college turned into a training venue with cycle lanes, traffic lights and 'give way' signs.

Sessions, which include two hours of theory and practical training, give students the chance to perfect their cycling manoeuvres and ride with confidence on busy roads.

Staff members Julie Richardson, Dave Parker and Martin Downey have worked to develop cycle training facilities at the college and have been trained to deliver the Let's Bike prog ramme.

Rob Tulip, Acting Head of Learner Services, said: 'The Let's Bike programme is part of South Cheshire College's wider commitment to providing travel training for members of the community.

'Part of the college has been completely mapped out as a training area and learners can now take part in cycling training as if they were on the road.

'This is a first for the college and hopefully the wider community will be able to benefit from it in the future.

'Although some students won't necessarily become independent travellers they are enhancing their skills and social awareness.'

The college is planning to stage further sessions for schoolchildren and community organisations.