TWO Ross sisters have secured orders with two national retailers for a product invented as part of a school project.

Sky Ballantyne, of Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls, created Crikey Bikey harness 18 months ago. The harness is designed to help young children learn to ride a bike safely.

Last June her sister, Kia, jumped on board to help turn the invention into a business and spent a year developing and testing it.

After securing deal with local independent retailers, the girls stepped out of their comfort zone and approached Evans Cycles and Mountain Warehouse where they landed a lucrative deal.

Kia said: “We went to visit two of the Evans Cycles buyers in their head office in Crawley a few weeks ago, and were relieved to find the panel surprisingly friendly and very interested in our harness.

“We are so excited to have or product in 39 stores including Cheltenham and Cardiff. I love going to the stores to see it on display in the shops.”

The harness has a handle running from shoulder to shoulder which a parent can hold – with a straight back – as their child rides their bike.

She added: “Sky asked for my help because starting a business is a lot of work and sometimes things get complicated and time-consuming. I am aged 14 and together we are able to do almost everything ourselves as well as our homework, activities and social life.

“In March we entered our product into the National Science and Engineering competition at the Birmingham NEC and won first prize, so the Crikey Bikey harness is now an award-winning product!”

To find out more visit www.crikeybikey.com