PATIENTS can cycle their way to recovery, thanks to the donation of a new exercise bike to Basildon Hospital.

The bike was given to the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre by the Basildon branch of the Hindu Samaj community group, which raised the £360 at a charity buffet at the Moza Indian restaurant, on Basildon's Festival Leisure Park.

Tina Faulkner, general manager of cardiothoracic services, said: "When patients are recovering in hospital following major heart or lung surgery, it is important they start to exercise the muscles in their chest as soon as possible.

"Having an exercise bike on the ward means even when patients are not yet well enough to venture far from their bed, they can start gentle exercise, which can help them regain some muscle strength and greatly enhance their recovery."