Cyclists in Chester can now park their bikes with peace of mind after some much-needed improvements were carried out.

Independent Great Boughton councillor Elizabeth MacGlashan has been working with members of the Chester Cycling Campaign to improve an old 'grippa' bike stand outside the butcher's in Boughton Shopping Village.

The stand on Christleton Road was deemed not fit for purpose, with rust setting in and half the rack no longer being usable to tether a bicycle to.

Cllr MacGlashan wanted to use some of the money councillors receive to improve their local wards to fund improvements but said it was "not that straightworward".

She was contacted by Ian Slater, from Chester Cycling Campaign, who had sourced a possible replacement for the stand.

"When Ian told me he was aware of two suitable bike stands donated by Waverton Primary School that could possibly replace the old rusted grippa stand I was so pleased," said Cllr MacGlashan.

Ian said: "This is part of a new initiative by the members of the Chester Cycling Campaign to identify and retrieve underutilised or abandoned bike racks and see them used elsewhere, thus avoiding some waste."

Over the following months Cllr MacGlashan liaised with the school, council officers, Sanctuary Housing and the council's maintenance contractor, Colas.

She added: "When Colas got involved suddenly things were happening – and all with good will."

The Colas team collected the racks from the school and stored them at its depot, before removing the old cycle racks in Boughton Shopping Village.

New, toast rack-style replacements were then installed after Sanctuary Housing gave the green light to fit the replacement racks on its land.

Cllr MacGlashan added: "This is a superb example of our community partners working together to make things better and improve the area we live in."