HUNDREDS of youngsters will be using pedal power to raise money for a leukaemia charity next month.

Darlington will be hosting its leg of the Blue Peter Bikeathon, around the pathways of South Park, on Sunday, May 4, for the third year running.

Last year, 200 children and their parents participated in the event and raised £5,000 in sponsorship.

Staff from The Iron Horse Cyclery will be on hand to provide technical back up and Darlington Borough Council will be promoting cycling safety.

Hummersknott School Steel Band and children's entertainer Mr Twister will be amusing spectators.

Money raised will go to Leukaemia Research - a charity devoted to improving treatments, finding cures and investigating the causes and prevention of cancers of the blood in children and adults.

For information, log on to the Blue Peter Bikeathon web site at www.bbc.co.uk/bluepeter /bikeathon