CARDIAC patients in Darlington have used pedal power to help keep hearts beating across the UK.

Patients attending the cardiac rehabilitation scheme at Eastbourne Leisure Centre got on their exercise bikes to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation's Help a Heart Week Lifecycle.

Fundraiser Doreen Howson, 71, cycled for 45 kilometres and raised £80.

Mrs Howson was diagnosed with angina two-and-a-half years ago and underwent a triple bypass operation in July 2004.

Since being referred to the cardiac scheme, she has seen her fitness levels return and now does two hours of exercise in the gym each week.

"I decided to try and help put something back into the system" said Mrs Howson. "My daughter and granddaughter were doing the Race for Life, so I thought that I'd better do something as well."