A BIKE that forms a significant part of Dursley’s history is now on display in the town’s heritage centre.

A damaged Dursley Pedersen bicycle, dating back to 1898, was returned to top condition and unveiled to a small crowd at Dursley Heritage Centre on Monday, February 16.

The iconic bike has now gone on public display in the centre where visitors will have the opportunity to view it until June 13.

Dursley Heritage Centre was donated the heavily damaged Pedersen in 2009, with missing woven ‘hammock’ saddle and wheels as well as rust and decay elsewhere.

In September 2013 the old bike was, by chance, shown to Michael Kemper, a maker of modern Pedersen cycles who was visiting Dursley from Germany.

Upon seeing the bike Mr Kemper offered to restore it – an offer which was gladly accepted by the heritage centre.

The restoration took place over the next 18 months and in February this year the newly restored bike was ready.

The restored cycle has now gone on public display for the first time, with repairs carried out and a newly woven ‘hammock’ saddle.

There is, parallel to the display of the cycle, an exhibition of photographs and information about the cycle’s designer, Mikael Pedersen, the Pedersen cycle company and the restoration process.

Also still running in the Heritage Centre is a small exhibition which remembers those men - and one woman - who are commemorated on the town's First World War memorial.

This display changes every three months and recalls those who died in the equivalent three month period 100 years ago.

Dursley Heritage Centre is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 10.30am -12.30pm.