ORGANISERS of a charity coast-to-coast bike challenge are halfway towards their target for attracting riders after a sign-up session at a York café.

A team of cyclists, guides and support crew will set off from Grange-over-Sands on the west coast on June 20 and, following a gruelling on and off-road route to Scarborough aim to dip their wheels in the North Sea to mark their arrival on June 22.

The 150-mile ride is in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care and takes place shortly before the opening stages of the Tour de France come to Yorkshire - using part of the same route.

More than 30 participants registered following the launch event at the York Bike Shed café, coffee shop and repair workshop in Micklegate.

Marie Curie fundraising manager Cheryl Barrett said: “We’re delighted - normally we have about 60 riders and this event would have been the start of registration, but this year we’ve had a head-start and I think the Tour is definitely working for us.

“Your Bike Shed was the perfect place to launch the ride and a lot of people who’ve taken part in previous years are coming back, which is testament to how good it is.”

More information about the ride and how to take part is at purplemountain.co.uk/mariecuriecoast2coast