A CYCLIST from Skipton is getting into gear for a charity ride which will take him from the west to the east coast of England - in one day.

Christian Townsley, 43, of Long Meadow, will set out from St Bee's in Cumbria to his home town of Sunderland, a distance of around 140 miles, which he hopes to complete in around 10 hours, on Sunday, May 20.

The Skipton Cycling Club member is the co-owner of company North Brewing, which has several bars in Leeds, and is taking on the ride to boost the city's St Gemma's Hospice.

He is doing the ride solo, but will be joined by friends and fellow cyclists on parts of the route, and will also have the support of wife Helen and their three sons, Gil, eight, Gabe, six, and Wynn, three.

Christian said: "I've put in a couple of months' training but I've never ridden more than 100 miles before, so I'm likely to find it tough going towards the end.

"But I'll be really looking forward to sinking a beer or two on the beach at Sunderland.

"We are celebrating 20 years since our North Bar in Leeds city centre opened, and many of our staff have been busy raising money for St Gemma's - so I thought it was time I stepped up to the plate! It costs around £25,000 a day to run the hospice, and I'm hoping to raise around £2,000."

Donations can be made on Christian's page at: justgiving.com/fundraising/christian-townsley