A MARATHON bike ride across Mexico aims to raise £12,000 for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

A major fundraising bid has been launched by four riders from the North-East taking part in the trek next March.

A raffle has also been arranged, with the prize of an all-inclusive wedding.

The winner will receive everything from a horse-drawn carriage to the bridal gown, catering, venue and photographer.

Paul and Julie Hopper, well-known dance teachers and owners of the Mayfair Centre, in Seaton Carew, will join pub manager Claire Stephenson and Moss Boddy, former leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, on the 430-mile charity ride.

They are looking for all the support they can get and to help boost fundraising, the four have arranged a sportsman's dinner and charity disco.

The raffle, with the wedding prize, will take place at the dinner on Tuesday, at the Mayfair Centre, with football referee Jeff Winter as guest speaker together with comedian Josh Daniels.

Miss Stephenson said: "There will be 50 people on the marathon ride and we are the only people from the North-East taking part.

"The Macmillan nurses mean something to all four of us, and we are determined to raise as much money as possible for them.

"The support already has been tremendous, with local businesses helping us to put the wedding prize together.

"We'll also be auctioning a dream trip to Edinburgh, by helicopter, with a lunch for two at the well-known Huntsman's Tryst restaurant."

The ten-day Mexican ride will start at Mexico's east coast and cross the country to the Pacific.