CYCLISTS are raising £5,000 to help sickly and premature babies.

The neo-natal unit at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, treats about 380 youngsters a year, for which it has eight intensive care cots and 12 high dependency and special care cots.

It also has a neo-natal transport team which transfers babies needing specialist care from other hospitals.

But the unit needs an advance infant flow driver, a machine costing £5,000, to use in the treatment of babies who have breathing difficulties.

Martyn Boyd, the unit's manager, and clinical director Dr Jonathan Wyllie, will be among those getting on their bikes next month for a 30-mile sponsored tour of local villages to raise money to buy the machine.

Their companions will include staff from Safeway's Stokesley supermarket, where the ride will start and finish on Sunday, May 11.

Paul Mackintosh, main organiser of the ride said: "The numbers of riders taking part in this popular local event increases every year, and it continues to be very well supported.

"We look forward to welcoming cyclists old and new this year, and are very grateful to everyone who takes part for the tremendous effort they put in to raise money for good causes.''

A team of supermarket workers led by manager Steve Emmerson is staging an Easter egg tombola, cake stall and trolley dashes.

Mr Boyd said: "We are very grateful to the dedicated riders and Safeway staff for their help.

"We very much appreciate them adopting us as their worthy cause this year and their support will enable us to continue providing the very highest standards of care for the babies cared for at the unit."

For information and entry forms, call Paul on (01325) 357867 after 6.30pm or on 0780 1143942.