ELDERLY people in the Wee County are a step closer to getting out and about on the local cycle paths thanks to a fundraiser in aid of Cycling Without Age.

Volunteers packed bags in Alloa's Tesco store from 10am until 1pm on Saturday and Sunday, collecting £568 from generous shoppers in the process.

The money will now help further Cycling Without Age's aim of bringing innovative trishaws – three wheeled bicycles capable of transporting passengers – around Clackmannanshire.

Pedalled by volunteers, the trishaws would provide elderly people with the chance to get outside, and see and do more in Clacks.

The Cycling Without Age scheme has already been piloted in Falkirk, and Sauchie man Hendry Gill has been leading efforts to bring it to the Wee County too.

He said: "It was great. The bag packers were great and the store's staff were great.

"We're about halfway to purchasing one, and the aim is to try and get two.

"Once we get our trishaws they will be available for everyone in Clacks who's restricted in getting out the house."

As well as the obvious benefits to those who use them, Hendry added: "It makes a lot more use of Clacks' cycling routes as well, because we've got great cycling routes."

The Cycling Without Age movement was started in 2012 by Ole Kassow, who wanted to help the elderly get back on their bicycles, but he had to find a solution to their limited mobility.

The answer was a trishaw and he started offering free bike rides to the local nursing home residents.

To find out more information about the group's work, visit cyclingwithoutage.scot