TEN North-East soldiers are recovering after a coast-to-coast cycle ride for charity.

The group pedalled from Workington on the west coast to Sunderland on the east.

Every mile they covered raised more cash for the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline, which brings youngsters from the disaster area to Britain for breaks away from the nuclear contamination, which still blights their lives. The group raised £1,000 - although it cost Sergeant Major Dave Maxwell a broken collar bone.

However, he was in expert hands; all the solders taking part were from 3 Close Support Medical Regiment, based at Catterick Garrison.