A BIKE shop has been visited by a team of walkers undertaking a gruelling walk across England.

The Bikery, in Shipley, was the first stop for The Big Walk team who are aiming to cover 378 miles to cover in 18 days.

An idea from the Eden Project made possible by the National Lottery, The Big Walk is designed to celebrate the people at the heart of the UK’s communities, who work together to make a difference.

Walkers Katherine Horsham, 30, and 45-year-old Steve Barnabis, both from East London, spent day two of 18 at The Bikery in Shipley town centre.

The Bikery was selected from hundreds of community projects because of what can be achieved when people come together.

The National Lottery-funded project refurbishes bikes for sale at affordable prices, provides training courses in bike maintenance, offers volunteering opportunities and placements, as well as a friendly workshop space where people can repair their bikes.

Helen Rowlands, business development manager for The Bikery, said: "We were delighted that The Big Walk visited us.

"As a small charity it’s really important to support and celebrate community based projects like ours.

“We’ve just moved into new premises and it was a chance to show them off.

"The new, bigger space is great news for the local community because we can offer people what they have been asking us for which is free cycling lessons, repairs and servicing.”

The project is part of the Margaret Carey Foundation that runs projects in prisons, in Yorkshire, and rescues scrapped bicycles and wheelchairs that are no longer in use and has workshops where prisoners clean, adjust and repair them to a high standard. The refurbished bikes and wheelchairs are given to communities in need, in England and in developing countries.

Katherine added: “I love this project as it helps people in so many ways.

"The team here are teaching prisoners new skills, which can help reduce reoffending, and in turn their work is benefitting disadvantaged people here and abroad with refurbished bikes and wheelchairs being sent to them.

"The Bikery is also promoting better physical and mental health by offering people the chance to learn how to ride.”

Katherine and Steve set off from Morecambe on Wednesday, live on BBC’s The One Show.

They are one of eight walkers, in four teams travelling to the four corners of the UK, helping to spread the word about The Big Lunch, the UK’s annual get-together for neighbours on June 3.

The Big Lunch was launched back in 2009 with the simple premise that great things happen when you bring people together.

Anyone can take part by ordering a free pack to join millions of others across the UK for The Big Lunch. Visit www.thebiglunch.com