A PEEBLESSHIRE youth project is cycling back on plans to offer deliveries on e-bikes during the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week the Peeblesshire News reported on the Tweeddale Youth Action (TYA) group's Bike Punks project, which hoped to help with shopping and prescription pick-ups.

But the plans have been dropped by TYA trustees and project manager Dave Hodson as the COVID-19 crisis escalates.

A spokesperson for TYA told us: "It was hoped that TYA might, in some way, be able to make a contribution, in particular through the provision of the cargo e-bikes, and this is what was described in last week’s article.

"However, as the trustees continued to reflect on the evolving situation, they came to the conclusion that people’s health and well-being was paramount and that they were not prepared to be responsible for putting anyone at risk.

"For this reason, the decision has been taken to withdraw the offer of the cargo e-bikes.

"Trustees were disappointed that the service would not now be provided but hoped that the public would understand that protecting the health and well-being of staff, volunteers and young people has to be the number one priority.

"Nobody really knows how things will be once the crisis is over but everyone at TYA is hopeful that the wheels will once more be rolling at Bike Punks and that the cargo e-bikes will again be available to offer a range of services to the local community."