TEN of our staff are to pedal off on a 70-mile fund-raising bike ride to celebrate the county's hosting of the start of this year's Tour de France.

The team from Linley & Simpson will aim to complete their route from York to Ripon to Harrogate to Ilkley to Horsforth, finishing in Leeds in just one day, raising money for Martin House Children's Hospice at Boston Spa - the company's inaugural charity of the year.

Taking part are founding director Will Linley alongside Martin Elliott, Danny Tasker, Derryn Ward, Kim Smith, Dan Bond, Paul Bridgeman, Mark Vasey, Greg Smallwood and Ross Harding.

The ride will mark the finale of the year in aid of Martin House, with the company already ahead of schedule to break the £25,000 target it pledged to raise since last June.

Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: "It is great to see them celebrating Yorkshire's Grand Départ in such an innovative way and culminating their charity efforts by saddling up and cycling.

"This money will, I am sure, help this fantastic charity to continue their vital work, which makes a real difference to so many people."

Director Will Linley said: "With our strong Yorkshire roots, this is a great opportunity to mark the biggest sporting occasion many of us will experience right on our doorstep, as well as raising money for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families from across the county."