MORE than 150 people of all ages got on their bikes for a national charity.

Organisers hope the fifth annual Pendle Bikeathon from Nelson and Colne College, Nelson, will raise up to £5,000 for the Leukaemia Research Fund.

They were especially pleased with the increased number of youngsters taking to the saddle to tackle the 13 or 26 mile routes around Pendle and the Ribble Valley.

Among the cyclists was a team from Colne bike component manufacturer Hope Technology which included Bob Taylor, of Earby, who rode despite breaking his leg 11 weeks ago.

The shorter route took in Barrowford and Barnoldswick and back to the college via Blacko while the longer route took the cyclists around Pendle Hill via Rimington and Downham. Riders wanting to avoid the worst of the hills could complete two circuits of the shorter route.

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