All 260 places for the event were snapped up as cyclists took part in the ten-mile sponsored cycle from Chichester to West Wittering along the Salterns Way cycle path, raising money for St Wilfrid's Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Some participants raced to the finish, with Craig Weston from Bournemouth finishing the course in 42 minutes, quickly followed by Tom Duke (13) from Sidlesham.

"But the majority took an hour-and-a-half to two hours," said head of fundraising at St Wilfrid's Hospice, Jill Dennison.

"It was really great as people sat down afterwards on the grass for home-made cakes and enjoyed the great weather.

"Hopefully we will have raised a lot of money."

Among the fundraisers was rider Ron Pickering, who could have stopped halfway through the race when his saddle snapped in Apuldram.

But he decided to keep going and rode all the way to the finish line without a seat.