Environmental campaigners in Brighton and Hove have launched a bid to introduce a £30,000 bicycle hire scheme.

Members of the Green Party want to see the service in use whereby commuters and shoppers would be able to leave their cars and use bikes available at cycle points.

Councillor Keith Taylor, Green group convenor at the council, said: "It's no longer only politicians like Norman Tebbit who say 'On yer bike!'

"Green councillors believe the On Yer Bike system should be considered as a pilot in Brighton and Hove."

He said Greens would be asking the council to support the scheme when it allocates the transport budget.

The service, developed by OY Bike Systems, makes bikes available 24 hours a day and allows people to pay by text message.

The scheme would cost about £30,000 initially but would be self-financing once enough people used the bikes.

Cycle points could be placed across the city, including at train stations, car parks and shopping centres.

Bernie Hanning, OY Bike Systems founder, said: "We're very pleased that councillors in Brighton and Hove are interested in our system.

"It is already working with success in London and is being assessed to see how it contributes to encouraging sustainable travel."