A FAMOUS local celebrity joined a newly registered charity on a trial run to test out their new cycle rides.

Cycling Without Age Prudhoe is a new charity that aims to tackle social exclusion for those in Prudhoe and the surrounding areas who have limited mobility due to age or disability.

To do so, they have provided free "trishaw" cycle rides. The trishaws are battery power assisted reverse tricycles, with a double bench seat at the front where passengers can be accompanied by either a carer, friend, or family member.

Seat belts, footrests, and hoods are provided for the safety and comfort of the passengers.

Whilst on a trial run from Wylam to the Tyne Cafe in Prudhoe, the group met up with TV's Robson Green, as he filmed a new documentary set along Hadrian's Wall country.

The group's leader, Chris Barret, said: "We received a very warm welcome from many people along the route.

"We were delighted to let Robson know about our new charity, and hope that we will appear in his programme later this year.

"It will help to promote the wonderful part of the country we live in."

Cycling without age officially registered as a charity in April, and received a £6,000 boost from Northumberland County Council’s Members Funding Scheme secured by county councillor for Prudhoe South Gordon Stewart.

The scheme, which runs in towns and cities across the world, allows the elderly to get back on a bicycle by volunteers – known as pilots – taking them for rides on a trishaw.

Chris Barrett, town councillor and chair of trustees at the group, formed it last year alongside fellow councillor, the late Martin Foster.

Members trialled the scheme by borrowing bikes from a nearby group in Newburn and offering rides in Prudhoe’s Riverside Park.

Following the success of the trial run, a fund-raising campaign was launched to buy the group's own bike.

Robson Green's new programme will see him walk the length of Hadrian's Wall.

Posting on Instagram, he described it as "the adventure of a lifetime." He wrote: "Having lived in Northumberland most of my life I thought I knew everything there was to know about the history of the area. How wrong I was!"