FOUR female cyclists from Pendle and the Ribble Valley have completed a 400km ride across Tanzania.

Sisters Jacky Godfrey, of Great Mitton, and Christine Humberstone, of Higham, travelled to Africa with close friends Philippa McDowell, of Fence, and Shirley Foster, of Whalley, for the Unite and Bike Against Cancer Challenge.

So far they have raised £8,800, with a target total of £10,000 in their sights.

The women chose to support Rosemere as Jacky, 50, lost her husband, Ian, to cancer in 2010.

He was cared for, and treated, at the Rosemere Cancer Centre, based at Royal Preston Hospital, and since then Jacky has raised funds for Rosemere through various activities.

The ladies each self-funded their trip expenses, so all money raised will go to the charity. On average, they cycled 80km on each of the five days of the trip, cycling from 7am until light began to fade at the end of the day.

A host of Rossendale businesses, including Response Footwear, Technology Solutions, and Gordon Waddington Plumbing and Heating, sponsored the four.

Jacky said: “It was a tough challenge, particularly battling through sand on our bikes in the heat, but the team spirit was amazing throughout. We’d like to thank everyone – friends, colleagues and local businesses – who offered us their support.”