AN all-female cycling club has raised more than £10,000 towards battling women's cancer by staging its first charity sportive.

The Yorkshire Lass Cycling Club event from Carlton Miniott, near Thirsk, attracted more than 300 riders from as far a afield as Ireland and Falkirk.

Those taking part could take on a 30-mile Cuppa tea and a piece a cake ride, a 60-mile Reet Gud Ride or the 103-mile By Eck Tha War Ard Ride route.

Organisers Kate Horsfall and Judith Worrall said the event had been a sell-out and received support from many firms, including Carlton Lodge Activity Centre in Thirsk and All Terrain Cycles of Wetherby and more than 50 volunteers.

They said they had been staggered by the amount raised funds for Breast Cancer Care, Jo’s Cervical Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Action.

Mrs Worrall said: "It was everything that we wanted it to be, attracting riders of mixed abilities, but all with a common love of cycling. While we appreciated the many men who helped at the sportive, we felt that the rides really benefitted from being a ladies-only affair. Our cyclists felt happy to give it a go, even if they hadn’t done a sportive before, and it was an extremely friendly event”.

The charity Sportive will be held on August 20 next year. For details about the club, visit yorkshirelass.cc