BORDERS care home residents will soon have the chance to embrace the great outdoors again - by riding in three-wheeled e-bikes.

Volunteers in Hawick set up the town’s Cycling Without Age (CWA) scheme last year.

The project involves cyclists jumping in specially-adapted e-bikes - which can carry two passengers - and offering free rides to people who have mobility difficulties.

Volunteer Keith Irving said: “This is a great project because it allows many who used to be able to explore Hawick get another chance to experience the sights.”

The charitable organisation CWA began in Denmark, but it has become international - and Scotland itself now boasts 60 electric trishaws.

Hawick received two bikes in September and the town’s first passengers were welcomed two months later.

The official launch had been scheduled for this Easter, but COVID-19 put paid to those plans.

Now, though, volunteers are readying themselves for a return to the saddle - and they look forward to rides around Wilton Lodge Park.

People living in care homes or sheltered housing are being encouraged to contact the group. Anyone with mobility problems is also being urged to get in touch.

Volunteer Jim McPherson said: “This is a different way to give mobility-limited people who are stuck inside a new view.

“One lady who we took out said she had not seen the park in over six years and was amazed at the change.

“It is truly a great feeling to help people experience the pleasure of cycling around the park.”

He added: "Right now, everyone in the Hawick chapter has a feeling of real frustration at the current situation, having put in a lot of time and effort.

“We are unable to make use of the trishaws as we'd previously planned.

“But we've had fantastic support from the Hawick community, with many groups and individuals having helped us to raise the money to get two trishaws in a record time.

“And we really want to be able to pay back this support and get back out in the park and elsewhere in Hawick.”

Currently, there are six trained volunteers and a further three awaiting training.

Training includes PVG checks, instructions on how to use the e-bikes, and guidance on the safety checks involved with loading and unloading clients.

The trishaws combine an electric bicycle with a passenger compartment fit for two at the front. A hood can be unfolded quickly if the weather turns wet.

Each ride lasts between 45 minutes and an hour.

Hawick is not the only Borders town which takes part in the scheme - the Peebles group has been running since 2017.

The Hawick chapter, which hopes to get a third trishaw, is inviting contact from potential volunteers and clients. The phone number is 07375 139931 and the Facebook page is: www.facebook.com/cwasHawick/