A REGAL charity night has netted £500 for the Hartlepool RNLI team.

The event at The Royal, on the town's Church Street, helped to get the wheels in motion for cycling challenge to raise funds for the charity.

Pub owner Alison Shirvani said: "We were delighted to play our part and help the team to try and reach their target.

"The night was a tremendous success and I would like to thank everyone who helped.

"We hope to have another charity night for the RNLI in the future and I would like to wish the cyclists a safe journey to Edinburgh."

Volunteer crewmember Andy Johnson, who is one of the cyclists taking part in the ride, said "This very generous donation from the pub is most welcome and I would like to thank the staff and the regulars at the pub who took part in the fundraising night."

Six cyclists, three of them RNLI volunteers are cycling the 210 mile ‘Coast and Castles’ route from Hartlepool to Edinburgh over three days at the end of May.

To make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rnlibettysolihull881 or visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/coastandcastle200rnli/