An unexpected delivery was left outside Rutland County Council's Oakham offices over the Easter Weekend.

Two children's bikes - along with a handwritten note - were discovered by staff when the offices reopened on Tuesday morning.

The note says: "Dear Rutland Council. We hope you are well. Here are 2 bikes for the Mr Bike Project. We heard about the project but didn't know where to take them."

Though surprised to find them on the doorstep - and the name on the note being slightly wrong - Rutland County Council is grateful for the gift and will ensure they get to their intended recipient.

A council spokesman told Oakham Nub News: "It was wonderful to receive these bikes. We'd like to say a special thank you to the two young children who handed them in and took the time to write to us.

"We'll make sure the bikes get a really good home."

The bikes will go to the council-coordinated My Bike project which sees pre-loved bicycles of all types and sizes reconditioned and repaired and given free of charge to local individuals and families.

Rutland County Council has been working with HMP Stocken on the My Bike project since it was launched in June 2017.

More than 250 bicycles donated directly to My Bike, or disposed of at local recycling centres, have been given a new lease of life by prisoners who gain a City & Guilds certificate in cycle maintenance for their part in the project.

The reconditioned bikes are then offered free of charge to people who don't have a bike of their own.

Local businesses Rutland Cycling and Oakham Cycle Centre have donated bikes to the project.

The most recent My Bike handover took place at Oakham Fire Station in February, when 56 reconditioned bikes were given away.

My Bike, which won the top award in the 'Best Partnership' category at last year's Modeshift National Travel Awards, involves Rutland County Council's adult and children's social services, community safety team, schools and colleges.

"My Bike is a fantastic partnership between the council, HMP Stocken, local businesses and the community, " adds the council spokesman.

"The bikes we repair and give away open up a whole range of possibilities for their new owners.

"It might help to improve their health and well-being, or just make the journey to work or school that little bit easier.

"The project also helps prisoners to learn new skills that could eventually lead to employment."