A SPONSORED bike ride to raise money for the British Red Cross was well on course - until intense pedalling broke the exercise machine that women from Commercial Training, in Northallerton, were using.

But the charity challenge was saved when a local gymnasium stepped in to help the team complete its challenge.

Staff planned to pedal the equivalent of the distance between Commercial Training units at Northallerton, York, Harrogate, Scarborough, Hull, Leeds and Bradford and had reached 130kms before the breakdown.

But Eddie's Gym stepped in with an offer of help - and the fundraisers were able to go the distance.

"They had been pushing ahead with the challenge which they set themselves and it was only through the generosity of Eddie's Gym that they were able to complete it," said British Red Cross senior fundraiser Andrew Brown.

"It is great to see local businesses coming to the aid of charities like this."

A spokesman for the gym said: "The girls were really upset that their efforts may go to waste, so we were delighted to lend our support to their attempts."