New bike racks in the style of old-fashioned penny-farthings will soon be available for cyclists to use across Mendip.

These unique racks, designed and produced locally by Bannell Engineering in Glastonbury, are being installed in Wells, Frome, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, and Street, providing a total of 30 new bike parking spaces.

The frames have been galvanised and powder-coated for durability, and require no maintenance.

A spokesperson for the firm said: "With no maintenance required these galvanised and powder-coated penny-farthings will look good for quite some time.

"The council took the decision to use the bike rack installation project to deliver some interesting, attractive and unique facilities through the design of bespoke penny-farthing bike racks, all locally produced.

"The 30 racks leave a legacy for the council that provides visitors and residents with attractive and secure parking facilities."

According to Somerset Council's deputy leader, Councillor Liz Leyshon, the project will complement the traffic-free network of paths developed by the former Mendip District Council. She believes that the bespoke penny-farthing bike racks will provide an interesting and secure parking facility for visitors and residents alike.