STARS from the world of sport and pop music cycled the Tour de France route through the Dales as part of a £1 million charity effort.

Rugby World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio has led a team of cyclists on a massive challenge, accompanied for most the gruelling journey by former Wham! star Andrew Ridgeley.

The Dallaglio Cycle Slam, having already ridden from Italy, through the Alps and back to Britain.

The Dallaglio Cycle Slam, which started in Rome and went through the Italian, Swiss and French Alps before arriving in Britain, was raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust and Dallaglio's Rugby for Change programme, which helps disadvantaged young people.

The ride came to Craven on Friday and Saturday, taking in most of the Tour de France route in this area, though Skipton itself was missed out. "We just thought some of the big lads would roll out the roads for them," joked Lawrence. "It's very different to what we've cycled in Italy, Switzerland and France. It's been beautiful scenery, and will provide the professional riders with a different challenge."

Both Lawrence and Andrew were impressed with the Dales reaction to the Tour. "We're not going to get lost, we'll just follow the yellow bicycles," said Lawrence.

He said the ride had already raised about £600,000 towards its £1 million target.

l Craven Diary, Page 30.