FITNESS club members turned out in force in support of a 24-hour spin-a-thon in memory of a Skipton athlete.

Fell runner and cyclist Neil Pate died earlier this year at the age of 45, and his friends at Skipton's Escape Gym wanted to do something in his memory. They came up with the idea of the spin-a-thon.

And last month's event, organised by 72-year-old spin instructor Jane Peggs, from Carleton, exceeded all expectations by raising £7,000 for the Brain Tumour charity.

Held over the first weekend in July on the first anniversary of the Tour de France, 19 static bikes were used, with 11 regular riders, including Jane, going the full 24 hours. The remaining bikes were offered to anyone else who wanted to come along and cycle for an hour or so.

"There was an incredible atmosphere – people were coming in all the time with food and drink and we had music playing all the time to keep us going," said Jane.

Riders were allowed 'comfort breaks' but apart from that, stayed put from 3pm on July 4 until 3pm the following day.

She added: "It was really fantastic – we never believed we could have raised that sort of money."

The £7,000 has been added to the £4,000 given at Neil's funeral in January also to the Brain Tumour charity.