AN adventurous group of cyclists will set off on a 140-mile coast-to-coast trip on Friday to raise money for charity.

A group of seven teenagers and four adults from Teesdale will pedal from Whitehaven, in Cumbria, finishing in Sunderland four days later.

The cyclists hope to raise more than £1,000 for Cancer Research UK and have been in training for several weeks. The group will also be making a film of their journey, with representatives from youth film group Teeny Tiny Films joining them along the way.

One of the cyclists, Jake Williams, 13, from Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle, said: "It's not going to be easy, but I think all of the group are quite fit, so hopefully it shouldn't be too hard either. We've been going to Hamsterley Forest for rides during the past few weeks."

Most of the 140-mile route will be on cycle tracks and minor roads, and the group will stay in youth hostels at night.

Olly Graham, active communities project officer for the Teesdale Community Cycling Project, is leading the ride.

He said: "The young people have been in training since last October and they've come on leaps and bounds, in terms of fitness and technical ability on the bike.

"They've raised a lot of money, so I'm sure they'll be up for it and won't want to let any of their sponsors down."

Anyone who is interested in sponsoring the group can call Olly Graham on 07717-790683.