PUB-GOERS at the York Inn, Churchinford, and their landlord, are to get on their bikes for a charity ride in September.

They will be joined by two London police officers on the 58-mile London to Brighton Bike Ride in aid of Bike4cancer, which arranges hospice and respite care for sufferers and their families.

The idea was dreamt up by landlord Paul Thomas and one of his customers during a cycle ride.

“While chatting, we discovered that we’d both had cancer and been through chemotherapy,” said Paul.

“We decided it would be good to give something back and from two of us having an idle chat, 28 people in all have signed up and are in training.”

He only found out he had non-Hodgkin lymphoma after he went over the handlebars while cycling and punctured a lung in 2013, while working as a police officer in London. He has since completed his chemotherapy treatment and his three-monthly check-ups, and transfusions are going well.

“Training is going well but our biggest headache is transport for the riders and bikes – we’re looking for three minibuses and a high-sided van, so if anyone can help, please can they get in touch,” said Paul.

Go to bike4cancer.ord/12b-2016-team-york