MARATHON cyclists Jo Ward, Anita Eccleston and Kate Dinsdale completed an astonishing 12 hour fund-raising ride on spinbikes at 5pm on Saturday having started their efforts in the early hours of the morning.

During the event that took place in fitSpace at Settle Pool they raised more than £2,400 in sponsorship to be shared between the pool, which is run as a charity, and the nearby Freda’s nursery.

The three each pedalled the equivalent of more than 300 miles, which as Jo pointed out soon after stepping off the saddle, meant that they had in effect done the Coast to Coast ride one and a half times.

The event was sponsored by Kings Mill Garage and a number of local businesses. A justgiving page, still open, contributed more than half the amount raised.

During their 12 hours in the saddle the three were joined for hour long sessions by family, friends and supporters.

Tash Ward, the pool business development manager, who helped organise the event, said: “The three ladies did really well to keep going the full 12 hours and were in a remarkably good state at the end. We were delighted by the amount of support they got both at the event and across the community. The North Ribblesdale rugby club even organised a bucket collection for us at their matches that afternoon.”