BLACKBURN Cathedral vergers Howard Waddell and Jane Jeal decided to put their best spoke forward to help people in Afghanistan.

Howard, the dean's verger, will join Jane, the canon's verger, for the sponsored cycle ride on Tuesday .

They will set off from the cathedral and cycle to Whalley Abbey in the Ribble Valley and back after morning service -- a round trip of about 16 miles, leaving assistant verger Mark Pickering to hold the fort.

Howard previously raised charity cash with a tandem cycle ride when he was the canon's verger at Hereford Cathedral more than five years ago.

The Dean of Blackburn, the Very Rev Christopher Armstrong, said: "It was Howard's idea as he has done a sponsored cycle ride before in Hereford.

"He raised thousands then so we expect millions this time -- because the people of Blackburn with Darwen are more generous."

Money raised will go to the Save The Children Blackburn with Darwen Interfaith Afghanistan Appeal.