A CHARITY bike ride in memory of a martial arts master from the region is being held next month.

Members of several Tae Kwon Do clubs are to cycle 21 miles in honour of Joan Britton, from Chilton.

She passed her Dan grade in 1995 and started teaching just after that.

Married to Mike, she was 67 and passed away on April 10 this year.

She had been suffering from cancer and the ride is being held to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Thirty-two people aged seven to 65 will be cycling from Malton Park picnic area on the A691, near Lanchester, to Esh Winning on Sunday, September 2.

Organiser Neil Hockworth, from Quaking Houses, near Stanley, is the head instructor from the Chi Tae Kwon Do club in Lanchester.

The 45-year-old said: “Joan was known all over the UK.

“She became ill very fast and when she passed it was a big shock to everyone.

“She touched a lot of hearts.”