A MONTH after setting off on a gruelling 1,500 mile bike ride from Belarus to Blackburn, a group of fundraising cyclists are back home, safe and sound.

Eddie Adams from Great Harwood, John Smith from Wesham, Dave Richards from Billingham and Brian Davies from Clitheroe, along with driver John Diggles from Settle, arrived back at St Peter's Church, Salesbury, to rapturous applause from local residents and well wishers.

The four cyclists from Blackburn-based Friends of Chernobyl's Children charity have raised around £5,000 for 10 Belarusian youngsters, who will stay with host families in Clitheroe next month.

The charity works with the people of Belarus, an area exposed to radiation following the Chernobyl disaster of 1986, and welcomes children for month-long holidays with British families.

The cyclists, who were in good spirits throughout the trip, said they were "very moved" by their experience.

Brian said: "The trip has been a huge success and everything went really well but there are so many stories to tell.

"One German gent, who had been helping us plan the route via mail, turned up to cycle with us one day but could only manage about five miles per hour.

"We felt awful when we found out he had been sleeping with an oxygen tank and had only just been released from hospital!

"What really sticks in your mind though is what a difference the charity makes to people's lives.

"One woman, whose son had been welcomed over in England for a visit, put on a huge spread of food for us. There was more than enough for three days yet she shared a tiny hovel with five other families and earned only fifty dollars a month.

"All the support was tremendous and we had flags from Belarus radio being waved. People would pip their horns as we cycled past which is sometimes all they could do. They did not always have money to give."

The Friends of Chernobyl are still busy collecting donations for the charity to fund this year's exchange programme.

Two groups of children were due to visit Blackburn this year. The first came last month and the second will visit in September.

Anyone wishing to donate money to Friends of Chernobyl should ring 01200 428383.