THREE businessmen swapped their seats in the boardroom for the saddles of pushbikes to raise more than £25,000 for charity.

The trio covered 200 miles in a coast-to-coast ride from St Bees, in Cumbria, to Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire, cycling for six hours a day.

The money - with more pledges still to come in - is to be shared between the National Children's Home, Christian Aid and St Michael's Hospice, Harrogate.

The three are all executives with Vp plc, in Harrogate, one of the country's leading specialist equipment hire companies.

Chairman and chief executive, Jeremy Pilkington, finance director Neil Stothard and services managing director John Singleton covered 55 miles on the first day, 77 miles on the second and 73 on the third.

"It was great fun, but hard work and we came back a bit sore," said Mr Pilkington. "The weather was glorious for most of the trip, which reminded us how beautiful the Northern countryside is.

"It was a super way to spend three days away from the office and raise money for dedicated charities which help so many people."