THESE youngsters teamed up for a 10-mile cycle ride - in an effort to stop them falling in with gangs.

The 13 and 14-year-olds from Easterhouse pedalled from the East End, along the banks of the River Clyde, through Glasgow Green, the Broomielaw, the West End and back.

It is the first time such a scheme has been tried in the area, uniting two groups from different streets that would normally never interact.

Organisers hope it will inspire a new generation of bike lovers, broaden their horizons, promote good exercise and divert teenagers from the spiral of gang culture.

Richard McShane, chairman of the community group Bartara, said: "It's good for the area because there is not much for the kids to do, and this gives them education, as well as getting youngsters from different streets together.

"A lot of kids do not have the money for bikes, but this gets them out and about.

"Regardless of what part of the estate they live on, this gives an alternative activity and perspective so they don't fall into gang culture."

The Phoenix Cycle Club is to be set up to get more youngsters involved.

The project is made possible by help from Free Wheel North, a charity and social enterprise that provided 10 bicycles paid for with National Lottery money for the youths to use for their tour.

Its managing director, Norman Armstrong, who is on the left of the picture, said: "Football clubs have been very successful at getting people out of gang culture and bike clubs will do the same."