PEOPLE living in the rural depths of Lincolnshire can now benefit from scooters to help them reach their place of work or training.

Based in West Ashby, social enterprise Access Your Future, has successfully won the tender to work in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council for the Wheels 2 Work scheme.

Wheels 2 Work offers independence to those who cannot benefit from public transport.

Director Chris Jones said: "The Wheels 2 Work scheme has been supported with around £300,000 of County Council funding.

"People of any age can benefit from our scheme providing they meet the criteria."

Wheels 2 Work offers scooters from as little as £8.50 per week to include Compulsory Basic Training, insurance, road tax, helmet, gloves, high visibility vest, L-plates, heavy duty riding jacket, scheduled maintenance and round the clock support.

"The funding we have received will last for three years and in that time we aim to make the business sustainable so we can carry on into the future," added Mr Jones who also directs Build A Future which trains disadvantaged young people.

He went on: "The new scheme will work alongside Build A Future to make the scheme more sustainable.

"The young people will be able to service and maintain the bikes which will cut our costs dramatically and add something extra to their training."

Racquel Ellis, 17, recently moved to Tathwell which has no public transport links to get her to Grimsby Institute.

She said: " The thought of starting college was scary as the only way I could see of getting to college on time was by booking a taxi which would prove very expensive.

"I heard about the scheme through my college interview and decided to give it a go. The CBT test took all day to complete but was very enjoyable.

"The scheme is a brilliant idea as without it I wouldn't be able to get to college to complete my A-Levels."

Chris Jones is looking forward to receiving a bulk order of 200 scooters from China next week with engine sizes ranging from 50cc up to 125cc to cope.

He said: "We are trying to change people's ideas on scooters being dangerous.

"With the right training scooters do not have to be lethal and so we have chosen to offer 125cc scooters to help riders keep with the flow of traffic on Lincolnshire's roads."

Councillor Eddy Poll, a keen motorcyclist himself, said: "This is a wonderful project which will deliver benefits beyond its wildest dreams."

Access Your Future will also be working closely with Lincolnshire Police and the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership to offer support and advice to the riders.

If you would like more information on the Wheels 2 Work scheme you can visit www.access-your-future.co.uk or e-mail info@access-your-future.com