Churchgoers get free bicycle maintenance

Jonathan Oliverio, of Cycle Torbay, said the bike repair session went really well

Cycling and Christianity have come together for their mutual benefit after worshippers at a Devon church were asked to bring along their bikes for free maintenance.

In return Goodrington Methodist Church in Paignton enjoyed a small bump in their congregation numbers, said minister Jeff Short.

Community interest company Cycle Torbay's pilot project may now be offered to other Methodist churches in the area.

Mr Short said it was a "fantastic morning" and "great to see families and community members come along to get their bikes fixed".

Cycle Torbay were even gifted a bike by a member of the congregation, which it will fix up for charity.

Co-founder Jonathan Oliverio said the session "went really well".

"It's the first time we've done it," he said.

"There is a theme called Back to Church, so we thought why not Bike to Church?

"It's healthy and it will hopefully get worshippers on their bikes instead of their cars."