FITNESS enthusiasts are being urged to sign up for the Golden Mile challenge in aid of the national Sport Relief event.

Next month's attempt to beat the British and world records for rowing a mile will be tackled on dry land - and Hambleton District Council's leisure centres is inviting applicants.

The event, on July 13, forms part of Sport Relief's national charity day.

The row is taking place at leisure centres in Northallerton, Bedale, Thirsk and Stokesley.

Bedale leisure centre manager Fiona Hughes said: "Everyone will be using the same type of indoor rowing machine so the challenge is fair, whatever your fitness.

"It has been specially designed so that both complete beginners and super-fit athletes can take part. You can row as fast or as slow as you want."

The current world record stands at four minutes and 41 seconds