Police donated 25 abandoned bicycles to charity after they failed to find their owners.

Redbridge police last week gave the bikes, found across the borough, to be used in a recycling scheme by the Salvation Army, based in Clements Road, Ilford.   

Volunteers recondition donated bikes at ‘Recycles', selling them on to the public as affordable second-hand bikes with prices from £45 to £450. 

Police said there are around 20,000 bikes reported stolen in London each year.

PC Paul Hobday, said: "It is disappointing that our enquiries were unable to reunite these bikes with their rightful owners.

“Many owners are unaware of their cycle frame number which can be recorded on sites such as BikeRegister.

"We are however pleased that these bikes can make a contribution to society through the hard work of charitable organisations."

To get your bike security marked so it can be traced when stolen, the next free event is 11am to 5pm on June 20 outside Costa in Chigwell Road, Woodford Green.

Then there is an event from 11am to 5.30pm on September 13 at Christ Church Green, in High Street, Wanstead.

For more information on how to register your bicycle click here.