Bicycles are to be prescribed on the NHS for the first time in an attempt to improve the health of overweight patients.

GPs in Wales will be able to assign six months of bike hire subscriptions on prescription for patients without charge.

The move is said to help patients by reducing their chances of a premature death as well as lessening their reliance on medication.

Health chiefs hope the scheme, which will be trialled at Lansdowne Surgery and Fairwater Health Centre in Cardiff, will be extended across the rest of the Welsh capital if the pilot is successful.

Dr Tom Porter, a consultant in public health medicine with Public Health Wales, has said the programme, which is mainly focused on overweight people, is also an effective way of improving mental wellbeing.

He explained: “Cycling is a fantastic form of physical activity and riding your bike is one of the easiest ways to reduce your risk of ill health while building your cardiovascular fitness. It's also great for improving mental well-being too.

“It is recommended that adults are active for at least 150 minutes every week, but many people feel that 150 minutes is simply too difficult to fit into their busy schedules.

“Not only can cycling to work reduce your risk of death from heart disease by 52 per cent, but it's also a great way to get around the city without using your car, making it good for both you and the environment around you, and helping to keep the air clean for everyone while reducing carbon emissions.”