WINE merchant Rob Bagot combined his love of cycling with his support for a cash-strapped swimming pool by riding all the way to London – in 13.5 hours.

Rob, who runs Buon Vino in the Courtyard at Settle, specialising in organic wines, pedalled the 239 miles from his home town to the RAW fair in Brick Lane, London.The event is a gathering of wine enthusiasts, who champion natural, organic and biodynamic wines.

His marathon trip – he modestly credits some of his achievement to a "lucky tale wind" – raised more than £800 for Settle and District Pool.

The privately-run facility, which has just celebrated its 40th anniversary, has set up a fundraising committee to make up the money it will no longer receive from Craven District Council. From next April, it will lose its cash support – about £16,000 a year.

Rob also supported the pool at Christmas by donating 12 bottles of wine at a dinner for volunteers but wanted to do more.

He said: "It's a great community asset – my children learned to swim there and love swimming, so I decided to show my support for the charity by combining my passion for cycling and love of wine."

His route, which used as many B roads as possible, was devised by his dad who, with a friend, acted as back-up along the route.

"I was very lucky – I had a strong tail wind and managed a brisk pace. I flew along at a good average of 19.4 mph," added Rob.

He has raced and cycled since the age of 14 and had a second category racing licence. He completed the 900 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats in eight days as a 16-year-old with his dad.

Settle Pool chairman, Alan Smith, said: "This was a fantastic fundraising effort by Rob and his sponsors, and I hope this will inspire and encourage others to help raise funds to ensure this pool can continue to deliver its varied range of services to the people of Settle and the surrounding areas."

He said the pool is self financing but lighting and heating the building cost £50,000 a year and maintenance costs are rising.

"We have a strong community spirit in Settle and a lot of support from local businesses and other charities. Nobody wants to see the pool close, that's for sure," added Mr Smith.

It is a registered charity and there is an active Friends of Settle Pool group. A fundraising committee had been just been set up, which will be looking at finding future funds.