A Cumbrian cycle project has been awarded over £30,000 in funding.

The Watchtree Wheelers Project is based at Watchtree Nature Reserve near Carlisle.

It specialises in providing adapted equipment for people with disabilities to hire when exploring the reserve.

The money secured through grants will replace and improve a large section of their fleet.

Project leader Matt Wind , applied for the funding.

He said: “most of our existing fleet have been part of the project since we launched in 2009, some of the bikes were second hand then.

"The popularity of the project and the uniqueness of our service means that all of those bikes have been really well used.

"We regularly service and maintain all of our bikes but we were undoubtedly due a refresh!"

The project been awarded a total of £33,500 in grants.

Allerdale Sports Fund awarded the project £10,000, while £5,000 came from Reece Foundation and £18,500 came from British Cycling.

The money will be used to improve the project's number of companion bikes where 2 riders can pedal side by side, recumbent cycles and hand propelled trikes.

Matt added: "“We are really grateful to our funders for the opportunity to make these improvements.

"The companion cycles are a new addition for us, they are great fun for any rider but are particularly useful for accompanying less able or mobile riders who require assistance or support while they ride.

"The recumbent cycles will replace our popular fleet of KMX karts, these are trikes with very low centres of gravity making them ideal for any rider with balance or confidence issues.

"The new handcycles are much lighter and more adaptable for different sizes than our current models, these will allow a great range of users to benefit.”

The project is also currently hosting the Solway Cycle Challenge to raise funds for an additional wheelchair carrying bike.

The existing bike is very popular and demand often outweighs availability.