A SCOTS cycling legend who built his own bike from washing machine parts has now encouraged others to do the same with a Glasgow charity.

Graeme Obree has backed mental health charity Common Wheel, which provides teaching and training on how to build your own two wheels from scratch.

The charity was crowned an Evening Times Community Champion earlier this year, before scooping the Health and Wellbeing gong at our Grand Final event.

Staff will start offering the bike making course for people who do not have a mental health problem in the New Year.

Funds raised from the workshops will support their charity work, and help provide classes for those who need them most.

Graeme said: "I find bike building a really good way to spend time as it is a highly involving task requiring focus and concentration and you can tap into the powers of your imagination to try to work out different solutions to problems.

"The bike building classes sound great as they also get you out of the house and bring together groups of people who can learn a new skill. Fabulous."

The courses will take place on Thursday evenings from 7-9pm, beginning on January 26 at the organisation's fully equipped Maryhill work space.

Participants will get the chance to raid the charity's waste stash of bike parts constructing their own custom bike which suits their style and shape perfectly.

Emma Razi, Common Wheel Project Manager said: "Graeme Obree is famous for building a world record beating bicycle, and for grappling with mental health issues.

"We are sure there are many amateur cyclists who have always wanted to pull an old, much-loved bike down from the rafters and rebuild it but have always been put off by a lack of knowledge and confidence.

"Common Wheel is providing them with an opportunity to breathe new life back into their bikes with expert guidance from our engineers and to their own specification.

"It is a great opportunity to learn new skills and contribute to the vital work being undertaken by Common Wheel."

For details or information about the charity, visit www.commonwheel.org.uk.