A GROUP of friends completed a 150-mile coast-to-coast bike ride as part of a campaign to raise £2,000 for charity.

The six men, all originally from Thrintoft, near Northallerton, rode from Whitehaven to Tynemouth in under four days.

Last year, Steve and Graham Hewitt's mother, Denise, died of cancer in the Loros Hospice in Leicestershire.

Since then, they have been raising cash for the hospice and Cancer Research UK. They enlisted friends Steve Wildig, Ben Pybus, Phil Peacock and William Graveling for the challenge.

"The hospice was wonderful when my mother was ill," said Mr Hewitt, former landlord of the New Inn at Thrintoft.

"We wanted to give something back for all the care they showed both her and her family.

"We have raised money through raffles, but the bike ride was the most challenging event so far. We are very grateful for all the support we received, especially from our sponsors, Tim Swales Garage, Hambleton Ales and Gills of Leeming Bar."

The next fundraiser, a prize draw, is at the New Inn, Thrintoft, on May 27, at 2.30pm.