Residents at two supported housing projects for people who might otherwise be homeless have formed a cycling club as part of a healthy living drive.

Staff and service users at Alexandra House in Altrincham and Meadow Lodge in Stretford - both owned and run by MMHA, part of Great Places Housing Group - are trying out pedal power to get fit.

Carl Hughes, 25 who came up with the idea is now the secretary of the club, called Biker Alex. A few cycles have now been bought with the numbers of members rising fast.

Residents - male and female single homeless people aged over 18 - have been learning about wellbeing and topics have included healthy shopping and eating, and stopping smoking.

The plan is for service users to take cycling proficiency tests, perhaps ride to work and college instead of taking public transport, or go on days out together using the area's many safer off-road routes. The bike club has secured funding from Great Places' Voice committee, a staff group that allocates cash to good causes, and is hoping to get more.

Carl Hughes said: "I'm not working at the moment but I used to enjoy cycling to work, I used to save money and I felt really fit. I have a five-year-old daughter and I want to set a good example to her, I'm sure she'll be a great cyclist one day."

Sasha Brown, 19, said: “I had a bike when I was younger and I was really excited when we started the bike club, it will be a good laugh when we start riding regularly together. We read on the net that an hour on a bike is the equivalent of two hours in the gym and that people who cycle live on average two years longer than those who don’t, so it’s got to be worthwhile!”

Project officer Lynne McDonough added: "We've never tried anything like this before, but it's a great way for the residents to get fit, socialise, get some fresh air and scenery! We're just building up our network of bikes and cyclists at the moment and we've had help from the Trafford Cycling Forum too.

"MMHA, which has many supported housing schemes across the north of England, tries hard to encourage residents to come up with their own ideas and shape the way services are run, and this is a great example."