A ROCKY ride lies ahead for three cyclists raising money for the Children's Hospitals Appeal Trust, which provides equipment for hospitals in the North West.

Gill Matthews, Karen Lord and Jan Ashworth will travel to the Canadian Rockies in June next year and cycle a total of 330 miles over six days.

Sisters Jan and Gill and their friend Karen are already in training and cycle between 30 and 40 miles each time they take their bikes around the hills of the Rossendale Valley -- which they reckon is an excellent training ground!

Before they go they have to raise a minimum of £7,200 between them and they have been busy organising fund raising events, sweep stakes, car boot sales and appealing for donations.

The three, who live in Bacup, are looking forward to their trip, even though they have experienced some hair-raising moments during training.

Gill, a stewardess with JMC Airlines said: "It should be quite warm when we go but it'll be well worth it, knowing we have raised money for such a good cause.

"The hardest part will be sitting in the saddle for hours on end each day."