DONORS who tried unsuccessfully to get their old bikes collected in an appeal have been sent an apology by the project founder – as the problem was that "the van was full."

The appeal, which was launched locally by Martyn Thomas two weeks ago, has attracted widespread interest across the area, and the huge success posed it's own problems.

Martyn commented: "We spent all day collecting the bikes, and we got about 30, which meant that our van was full."

"I would like to thank all the people that made the effort to get in touch, but also to apologise to the people whose bikes we were unable to collect because the van was full, and also because the SatNav couldn't find them, and we got lost.

He added: "I know some people were annoyed as they had called me, but I was unable to make the van any bigger, or collect any more bikes before I leave for Japan for a year.

"I would also like to thank Quickmac Pressings for loaning the van for the day - and also for their paying the £10 per bike to send them to their destinations in Africa."

The bikes that were collected have been sent to the charity Jole Rider, instead of the re-cycle charity as they have closed the local depot.

The bikes are to be given to schools in Africa, who give them to students most in need. A bike can cost a family two years savings.

Anyone with further surplus bikes they would like to add to the project and who could take them to the depot in Tetbury are asked to contact the charity direct at http://www.jolerider.org">www.jolerider.org, phone 01666 500 880.