A community bike sale in Barnes has raised £20,000 in just hours, with eager buyers queuing from 7:30am for the chance to snap up one of 200 refurbished bicycles.

The Barnes Charity Bike Sale, held at St Mary's Church on 13 September, saw volunteers sell around two bikes every minute during the first hour of trading, with the queue stretching back to the Olympic cinema.

The annual event, now in its 18th year, relies on a team of 35 volunteers, from teenagers to pensioners in their 90s who collect, repair and sell donated bikes throughout the summer.

This year's proceeds will be split between local charities and St Mary's Church.

Councillor Alexander Ehmann of St Margaret's and North Twickenham said: "Community initiatives like the Barnes charity bikes sale are something we are very proud to see flourish in the borough.

"The support that community recycled, affordable, and sustainable bikes can offer to residents is immense.

"The Barnes Charity Bike sale is clearly booming."

The scene the night before gearing up for the 2018 sale (credit: The Barnes Charity Bike Sale).

One volunteer mechanic said: "There's something really special about taking an unwanted bike, giving it a little TLC and watching it roll out to a new home."

The sale includes bikes of varying makes, models and ages donated by residents or offered for sale in return for a share of proceeds.

All bikes are checked and made roadworthy before sale day.

Since its inception, the scheme has recycled over 2,500 bikes and raised more than £177,000 for good causes.

The Barnes Charity Bike Sale team (credit: The Barnes Charity Bike Sale).

One member of the organising team praised the church for providing facilities: "It is a wonderful community initiative and brings all sorts of people together, as well as raising money for good causes and giving people the opportunity to snap up a bargain."

For more information about the sale click here.

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