A GROUP of eight Durham police officers will get on their bikes for a fundraising bid.

The cyclists, mostly from Durham Constabulary's Easington division, will travel more than 280 miles over three days from Gretna Green, in Scotland, to Flint, North Wales, crossing the Pennines twice via Leyburn and Holmefirth, in Yorkshire.

Setting off today, they aim to raise money mainly for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Sids), following the loss of Sunderland AFC footballer Jody Craddock's baby son to the condition.

Sergeant Stu Exley, one of those taking part in the ride, said: "This is the fifth year running that we have done a charity ride, and if we hit our target of £2,500 this year, we will have made a total of £8,500.

"We decided to support Sids, which is a national charity, but we are also aiming to support local needy causes in the Easington, Wingate and Blackhall areas."

The group is already well on its way to reaching its target after raising £1,000 from a recent charity concert at Peterlee Police Club.

Those taking part in the ride are: Sgt Exley, Inspector Paul Harrison, PC Chris Fixter, Sergeant Ian Dickinson, and Sergeant Andy Reay, all from Peterlee; Sergeant Ian Kelly and PC Brian George, from police headquarters at Aykley Heads, Durham; and PC Paul Hughes, from Seaham.

Sergeant Steve Harvey and traffic Inspector Alan Hutchinson, of Seaham, will drive the support vehicles.