SCHOOLBOY Joel Currell has been warming up this week in preparation for a charity bike ride in aid of cancer care at the weekend.

The five-year-old will be the youngest person to participate in Sunday's Cycle for Life through the streets of Hartlepool.

Accompanied by his 23-year-old mum, Lynne Currell, he will cycle the ten-mile course astride the miniature two-wheeled mountain bike he received last Christmas.

But, despite his young age, his mum reckons Joel will have no trouble finishing the course.

"He recently cycled seven-and-a-half-miles with his uncle for a heart charity and enjoyed every minute of it," she said.

"He's so enthusiastic.

"I'm pleased he doesn't know there are two other courses, of 25 miles and 50 miles.

"He might have wanted to tackle one of them."

Cycle For Life will start and finish at Springs health club, at Hartlepool Marina. The town's MP, Iain Wright, will officially start the ride.

The Cycle For Life is the third to be organised by Hartlepool Rotary Club, Hartlepool and District Hospice, and Springs.

The hospice will be the main beneficiary, with the remainder of the sponsorship money going to other local charities.

Anyone wanting to take part in Sunday's event can contact the hospice on (01429) 855555 or visit www.cycle4life.org.

The cost of entering is £5, or £2 for those under-16.

The charge for people taking part in the bike ride and then the barbecue is £10, or £7 for under-16s.