FIVE Clitheroe Grammar School sixth-formers raised cash for a children's charity from a sponsored cycle ride to Paris - then had their bikes nicked!

James Gill, Michael Wood, Matthew Fishlock, Daniel Parkinson and Jonathan Carter were due to return from their mammoth 500-mile trek from Blackpool to Paris last night minus their cycles.

They pedalled from Blackpool Tower to the Eiffel Tower and raised over £1,000 for Derian House.

The five, who travelled without a support team, reached their destination in nine days, but within an hour of booking into a youth hostel and having a meal the bikes had been stolen.

Thieves cut through security chains and made off with the cycles in double-quick time, Jonathan's mum, Yvonne Carter, said.

"They chained up the bikes and went for a meal, but when they came back an hour later the chains had been cut and the cycles stolen.

"They informed the police, who conducted a search, but to no avail. Luckily they had their passports and personal possessions with them, but they were really quite devastated," she said.

Parents of the five told them over the phone to "have a good time" and "try not to worry about it."

But the cycling enthusiasts, who made their way back to Britain by train and were due home late last night, were down-hearted that their good deed had now been overshadowed.

"They have done so well. They planned the trip themselves and we are really proud of them, but bikes are worth up to £400 each so they have a bit more fund-raising to do when they get back!" Yvonne added.

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