A TEAM of eight Bury firemen are planning a 300-mile charity mission in France, but leaving behind their usual transport.

Lads from the Green Watch at Bury Fire Station will be getting on their bikes and pedalling from St Malo to Bury's twin town of Angouleme.

The firefighters are hoping their cycle trek will raise hundreds of pounds for charity, to be divided equally between the children's ward at Fairfield General Hospital and the Fire Services Benevolent Fund.

The riders, who have covered their overheads personally so all the proceeds go to the two causes, plan to complete the journey in five days, setting a target of 60 miles a day. Fireman Mark Thomas said: "Most, if not all, of us are not cyclists, so we started getting in training a few weeks ago with a couple of 12-milers. "We have just completed a 26-mile ride where a few of us felt a bit sore and tired, but we're hoping to get up to 50 miles before we set off."

The team consists of Dave Adamson, Dave Charlesworth, Dave Baxter, Keith Hadley, Roger Gubbins, Gary Powell, Steve Marsden and Mark Thomas. The event will take place from June 17 to June 25 and the team is on the lookout for sponsorship, either for cyclewear, T-shirt advertising or logos for their back-up vehicle, or to help with food, drink and medical supplies .

Anyone interested in sponsoring the team or would like to make a donation can contact the Watch at Bury fire station on 909-0303 or send a cheque made payable to Green Watch Charity Bike Ride.