CREW members from a city's adopted ship pedalled their way to a warm reception after completing a gruelling cycle ride.

Six sailors from Sunderland's adopted ship, HMS Ocean, completed a 387-mile cycle trip from Portsmouth to the city to raise money for Castlegreen Community School.

The crew has supported Castlegreen, formerly Felstead School, since the ship's first visit to the city in January 1999, and keeps in regular contact.

The cycle ride was the latest in a series of fundraising events the sailors have undertaken for the school. On their arrival in Sunderland, they received a rapturous welcome from Captain Adrian Johns, the city's mayor and mayoress, and staff and pupils from Castlegreen school.

Captain Johns said: "We are very proud of our affiliation with Sunderland and have developed extremely strong ties with individuals and organisations throughout the city.

"Our link with Castlegreen school is a very special one and all of the crew really enjoy the regular contact they have with the pupils.

"The sponsored cycle ride gave the crew the chance to give something back in return for their never-ending support."

The money raised from the five-day trek will go towards PE equipment for the newly-built school's sports hall.

Headteacher Ian Reed said: "It's fantastic that the six crew members have chosen to cycle all this way in a bid to raise money for our school.

"It is a real honour to be the adopted school of HMS Ocean."