A new "cheap and sustainable" scheme to travel around Watford has been launched.

People in the town will now be able to travel using Beryl Bikes, a bike sharing scheme, which will be available to hire in the town centre and surrounding areas.

The scheme will see 200 of the bikes around Watford, with a further 100 electric versions being introduced later in the year.

Users of the scheme will only have to pay 5p a minute to use the bikes.

Speaking at the launch of the bikes outside Watford Borough Council today (March 2), Phil Ellis, CEO of Beryl Bikes, said he was "excited" to be launching the new scheme in the town.

Watford Observer:

The new Beryl Bikes (photo James Cowen)

He said: "The whole system has been designed around people getting on a bike and having more sustainable journeys.

"We have a fantastic density of bays around the borough and anyone in Watford should have access to these bikes and be able to use them.

"It is also a really cheap way to travel whether you are making long or short journeys."

He added Beryl Bikes aimed to introduce the "most technology advanced bike scheme" it could, with the bikes featuring a number of safety equipment.

This includes a rear brake light and a front light laser which projects an image of the bike onto the road ahead to increase visibility.

A number of cities and towns around the country have already adopted the bike scheme, including Norwich and Bournemouth.

Mr Ellis added: "Watford Borough Council are doing a whole range of measures to encourage sustainable transport and I think there is a lot of opportunity and demand for Beryl Bikes here."

Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor, who was also at the launch today, led a bike ride on the new Beryl Bikes around Cassiobury Park.

He said the introduction of the scheme is a "positive day for Watford".

He continued: "I really think people will take to this scheme with the environmental benefits it has and that it can help reduce congestion.

"Anyone who lives or travels in Watford knows we have congested roads and this is about giving people another option and a sustainable way of travelling.

"We are really pleased to be able to get to this stage with the bike scheme."