MORE than 50 council staff will be taking part in an epic cycle ride across the country to raise money for charity.

The Newcastle City Council employees will cover 180 miles from Morecambe to Scarborough in just three days when they embark on their fifth coast-to-coast cycle ride, on June 23.

The staff, mainly from the Cityworks department, hope to raise at least £10,000, which will be divided between the Cancer Research Campaign's research unit at the University of Newcastle, Breast Cancer Care at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Gateshead, and the Royal Victoria Infirmary Breast Cancer Appeal Fund.

The ride will be led by Les Routledge, a street lighting electrician, who helped set up the event four years ago, in memory of his father-in-law, Donald Patterson, and friend, Stewart Stoneham, both of whom died of cancer.

Rebecca Laverick, of Cancer Research, said: "It takes a huge amount of time and effort, not to mention energy, to organise an event like this and cycle all that way."

In previous years, Cityworks employees have raised more than £10,000 for other local causes, including the RVI Children's Cancer Fund and the Yellow Brick Road Appeal.

Anyone who would like to support the ride should contact Les Routledge, on 0773 300 2841.