GAS workers have used pedal power to help a charity.

A group of 17 employees from the BP CATS terminal at Seal Sands have just cycled 140 miles from coast-to-coast to raise £3,000 for Cancer Research and the Teesside Hospice.

Co-ordinator Tony Russell said: "A group of staff did the Great North Run last year and this year we thought we'd try something a bit different.

"We came up with the idea of the coast-to-coast cycle ride and got an excellent response when we asked who would like to take part. We had a group ranging in age from 19 to 49.''

Following the recent death of 44-year-old health and safety advisor Steven Best, the group decided to raise funds for Cancer Research and Teesside Hospice.

Mr Russell said: "We recently lost a well-liked and respected member of staff and everyone is keen to raise as much as possible as a tribute."

The ride was supported by BP, who supplied cycle safety helmets and met the cost of accommodation en-route. AMEC, one if the Terminal's main contractors, provided the back-up team with a minibus and van.