PARENTS will be making sure their kids get the most out of Christmas this year, with an average of £180 being spent on each child.

Three quarters of parents say they buy more expensive gifts at Christmas than they do for birthdays and that the festive season is when the big' items are purchased such as a child's first bike.

High street store Argos says that bikes for children are among their top 10 bestsellers again this year, with the Raleigh Bounce (£39.99) being the most popular model for both girls and boys.

Another store that does well over the Christmas period is bike specialist Halfords, which takes 50 per cent of their annual sales figures from December to January.

However, something that isn't considered in the excitement of unwrapping a new bike on Christmas Day is that it might get stolen. With claims rising by 27 per cent last year, bike theft is a very real possibility.

In a bid to reduce cycle theft and help return recovered bikes to their rightful owners, an online initiative called bikeregister.com has been launched.

Featuring a newly-designed website that holds details of the bike's owner on a secure database, bikeregister.com is owned and managed by local security firm Selectamark, which specialises in security marking and identification of property.

The website, which is accessible by police forces nationwide, can flag up stolen bikes and is the most comprehensive bike register in the UK.

Jason Brown, head of business development at Selectamark, said: "When parents are spending so much money on bikes for their children at Christmas it really makes sense to register them online incase they get stolen. Using our new website, registration is quick and easy and can cost as little as £5.95 for the lifetime of the bike."

Top tips for safer cycling this Christmas

  • Buy bicycles with safety in mind. If possible buy from a specialist shop and discuss safety features.
  • Size counts a lot when it comes to children's bikes. The temptation is to buy a bike that a child will grow into. However, they will find it much more difficult to gain confidence on a bike they can only just control.
  • Ensure your child can straddle the bike with their feet flat on the floor. They should clear the top tube by 2-5cm for a road bike and 7cm or more for a mountain bike.
  • Buy a helmet that fits correctly and that bears one of the approved marks: BS 6863, CE or equivalent. Make sure they always wear a helmet.
  • Make sure that your child wears fluorescent clothing during the day and reflective material and stickers at night.
  • Remember to carry out regular checks on essential safety features such as brakes, lights, tyres and reflectors.
  • Register your child's bike online at www.bikeregister.com to help deter thieves or aid recovery of cycles that are stolen.