PEDAL power has helped raise more than £7,000 to support seriously ill local children.

Taking part in the Hope House Cycle Challenge, hundreds of cyclists donned their helmets and took to the roads on Sunday, starting at Hope House in Oswestry and heading on two routes of either 56-miles to Lake Vyrnwy or 70-miles to Lake Bala and back.

Cyclists were sent on their way in the early morning sun by event sponsor Ash Poole, from The Fencing Bloke, who sounded a horn to get the event into gear.

After completing their ride, cyclists were provided with a well-deserved afternoon tea and presented with their limited-edition medals.

Fundraiser Bekki Fardoe said: "It was incredible to have our Cycle Challenge back for the first time in two years. It really was great to welcome back some old faces and see plenty of new people taking part too.

"We had a huge amount of entries for this year's event, and we have raised such an amazing amount of money.

"We are so grateful to our sponsors The Fencing Bloke Ltd and Knight Frank for their incredible support in helping us be able to put on such an amazing event."

One of those who took part was GP Arindam Das who took on the race with his 5am Club.

He said: "Working as a local GP, I have attended Hope House on several occasions, and have remained in awe of the level of care and attention children and families receive. I wanted to take on the Hope House Cycle Challenge to support this vital local charity."

Hope House Children's Hospices provide specialist nursing care and support to more than 750 terminally ill children and their families who live in Shropshire, Cheshire, North and Mid Wales and it costs £7.5 million a year to run its services.

If you would like to see how you can donate, or take part in one of the charity's other events, visit www.hopehouse.org.uk.