Louis Bonney has been a passionate cyclist all his life.

So when he was offered a redundancy package last year, he jumped at the opportunity to set up a social enterprise aimed at promoting cycling in the New Forest.

The New Forest Bike Project, which 51-year-old Louis currently runs from his Bransgore home, was only created in February, but has just celebrated the refurbishment of its 100th donated bike.

Once ready to be ridden, the cycles are sold at hugely discounted rates to residents of the New Forest and surrounding areas who are in need of transport, or just want to take up cycling.

Any money generated by the not-for-profit organisation is put back into the project, to enable Louis and a couple of local volunteers to stock up on tools to refurbish the donations.

"The remit is really simple - to encourage people not to dump stuff, to think about recycling - if it can go to someone that uses it," explains Louis, who worked in the charity sector, particularly with youth groups and adults with mental health, for 28 years.

"There are other projects in the UK - there's something in Bournemouth and North Dorset somewhere, but I thought 'let's do it in the New Forest'.

"If you're, in particular, a New Forest resident - and I've got a list of postcodes that we cover in the area - you can get a bike for a huge discount. We knock at least half or a third off if you're a New Forest resident in receipt of benefits, or a pensioner or student."

Louis also takes referrals from local charities who put him in touch with residents who need a bike to visit family, or get to a job.

"When I get direct referrals I tend to give them away free of charge," he says.

"Even if I sell to someone that's not on benefits, I like to think that we are affordable. The aim really is to encourage people to get riding, so I like to keep costs low. It just means we can buy more parts or tools and keep everything subsidised for everybody else."

Louis has received funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, a charitable organisation which supports projects throughout the UK, as well as a grant from the National Park Authority, which will keep the scheme going for the next 18 months.

But he hopes it will continue to expand so he can register as a charity.

"The aim is to grow the project so that more people can get involved," he says.

"The longer term aim is to leave a legacy so that people that have been involved with it can carry on. It's not just giving out bikes and saying 'here you go', it's giving people tips on maintaining them, safe riding etc.

"I love bikes and I hate seeing things dumped and chucked out. I just like to see things being re-used and I love doing it."

(BLOB) To find out more about donating an unwanted bike, or buying a refurbished one, visit newforestbikeproject.org, or call Louis Bonney on 07818 403114.