A pair of friends raised more than £300 for a good cause by taking part in a Christmas-themed 25-mile skateboard across London.

Johnny Phillips, 30, from Steeton and 21-year-old Michael Laidler, from Silsden, completed the five-hour Santa Cruise, in aid of the charity Children’s Heart Federation.

Their course took them from Hyde Park Corner to Windsor Castle.

The occasion was organised by a group called Longboarding for Little Hearts, and was created by the father of a girl who was born with a serious heart condition.

Mr Phillips said more than 40 skateboarders took part, raising a combined sum of more than £3,000.

“It was easier than we’d expected,” he said. “I didn’t realise how flat it was going to be – skateboarding 20 miles to Leeds is harder than 25 miles in London!

“I was surprised at how well organised it all was – there were people on rollerblades going ahead to clear the junctions.

“We were both in costume – I was dressed as a Christmas tree and Mike was wearing a Rudolph the Reindeer onesie.

“The weather was perfect. It was a nice, crisp, overcast day which is what you want for skating, and the pavements were dry.”