THE legendary exploit of Dick Turpin in riding non-stop from London to York is to be emulated for charity by two Selby men - but using two-wheeled pedal power rather than equine propulsion.

The 200-mile trip from the capital to Knavesmire, supposedly carried out by the famous highwayman on his steed, Black Bess, will be completed on Friday by Selby Cycling Club members Keith Lambeth and Richard Durham.

The two men are being sponsored for the epic ride, which they intend to complete within the day, with all the cash raised going to the Robert Ogden Macmillan Cancer Information Centre in Leeds, where Keith's wife Dorothy is the manager.

Dorothy said that though the centre is based at St James's Hospital it accepts patients from a wide area, including York and Selby.

It has been developed as a joint venture between Macmillan Cancer Relief and the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust to ensure that people affected by cancer have access to good quality, comprehensive and appropriate information and support.

Keith, of Back Lane, North Duffield, works as a community nurse in the Driffield area.

He is a keen, regular cyclist, but the furthest he has ridden in a day to date has been 100 miles. Richard is a miner from Riccall.

The men will set off from London at between 4am and 6am and hope to arrive at Knavesmire before dark. "I've got my heart set on about 14 hours," Keith said.

He said he did not know how much they would make for the centre, as he had sponsorship forms "all over the place".

Anyone who wants to sponsor the men or find out more about the cancer information centre can contact staff there on 0113 206 6498, or 0113 206 6499.

andrew.hitchon@ycp.co.uk