STAFF from pub chain Yates's Wine Lodge are getting on their bikes to raise money for a children's charity.

The manager of Yates's, in Darlington, has organised a 150-mile sponsored cycle ride in aid of Children In Need.

Colin Summer-Smith will be joined by two staff members from his bar and two from Middlesbrough's Yates's.

Together, the men will cycle from Yates's in Darlington to its sister bars in Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, South Shields, Newcastle and Durham, before returning to Darlington - in only two days.

Mr Summer-Smith, 26, said: "It all started as a bit of a joke but when I suggested it, other people seemed interested.

"As a chain, we always try to raise money for charity and when I saw an advert for Children In Need I thought it would be a worthwhile cause."

The father-of-three said charity posters had been put up in all the Yates's bars they are visiting, along with sponsorship forms. Each bar will also have collection buckets.

"We haven't set a target - we'd just like to raise as much as possible," said Mr Summer-Smith.

The cycle ride is being staged next Tuesday and Wednesday and Children In Need's annual telethon will be screened on BBC1 on Friday, November 18.