STAFF at a hair salon are training for a charity bike ride to raise money for women and their babies around the world.

Wendy Buttleman, Tinneke Castro, Catherine Gill and Lisa Walton, from Toni and Guy, in Durham, will take part in Cycle India 2007 in the autumn.

Run by Action for Charity, on behalf of the international Women for Women Appeal, the challenge involves a 390km ride through rural India, with the women covering between 71km and 99km for five days running.

Ms Buttleman, the salon manager, said: "One of our clients has even donated us this exercise bike, which is ideal for us to be able to practice on in between appointments and during our lunch hours and breaks."

Richard Toynbee, manager of Prince Bishops shopping centre, launched the hairdressers' fundraising campaign with a cheque presentation last Christmas.

Since then, the women have held race nights, fancy dress parties, raffles, derbies and discount hair days.

Mr Toynbee said: "It is an unusual project, with a very worthy cause, and we are only too happy to help. It's not every day staff from one of our retailers jets off to India and we wish them every success."

The riders are £4,000 from their final goal and are determined to raise the remaining funds by the September deadline.

Yesterday, they held a barbecue at the Sportsman's Arms, in Belmont, Durham.