A NEW scheme to help elderly and disabled people feel the "wind in their hair" is soon to get under way in Bournemouth.

Originating in Denmark in 2012, Cycling Without Age will see a fleet of cycle powered rickshaws whisk those with limited mobility along the promenade, propelled along by volunteer cyclists.

Unlike traditional cycle rickshaws, in which the occupants often have to contend with a rather unappealing view, the Cycling Without Age 'trishaws' position the rider behind the passengers.

The trishaws are battery-powered to allow as many potential users as possible.

The scheme, co-ordinated by Nicole Nagel and Councillor David Smith, is due to start in Southbourne on June 1 and run through the summer until September.

Nicole said: "My son needed a community activity for his Duke of Edinburgh award, and I saw this come up in Denmark and thought he should do that. Get outside, doing something physical and giving something back to our old folk.

"The scheme has been up and running in Brighton for a year and is working well there.

"I think the demand is there, we have had a lot of interest already from GPs and from businesses.

"It is all about generosity.

"The bikes are so easy to ride, anyone can do it."

Cllr Smith said the group, run by Hope in the Community, was raising funds to help buy more of the trishaws, and it has contacted local businesses seeking sponsorship.

"We are going to organise taking out old folk from nursing homes etc on specially built Trishaws," he said.

"This project originally started in Denmark and has rapidly grown to cover many towns and cities across the world.

"We are raising funds to help purchase the Trishaws (made in Denmark) and actively recruiting volunteers who will be trained to pilot them."

There is no charge for people using the service, and the riders are unpaid, although donations will be sought to keep it going.

Riders, or 'pilots' will be sought out via schools, colleges, churches and voluntary groups, with the goal of having a pool of 20 pilots per trishaw.

To find out more about the scheme or to help out search for @CWA_Bournemouth on Twitter or Cycling Without Age Bournemouth on Facebook.