A LORRY driver is preparing to ditch his heavy goods vehicle in favour of a bicycle to raise money for charity.

Dales worker Sam Rudd will set off with three friends on a 15-day sponsored bike ride that will cover nearly 1,000 miles later this month in aid of the Ripon Community House project and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

Mr Rudd, a driver for Masham animal feed manufacturers I'Anson's, will be cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats with his brother-in-law Richard Martin and friends Stuart Martin and Geoff Kelly.

I'Anson's has sponsored the bike ride for £250, in return for the support van featuring the company's logos.

All four men, who live in the Ripon area, were enjoying a pint in their local pub, The One-Eyed Rat, when they made the decision to tackle the marathon challenge.

They will set off on August 23, but have no specific sponsorship target.

"We are just hoping to raise as much as we can," said Mr Rudd.

The team has been training at weekends, but all four are keen cyclists and are confident they can cope with the physical demands of the ride.

Less than a month after the completion of the End To End ride, veteran charity cyclist Stuart Martin will travel to Madagascar for a ride in aid of leprosy charity Lepra.

For more information about the UK ride, or to sponsor the cyclists, visit www.end-to-end.co.uk