AROUND 300 men, women and children gathered at a sun-kissed Lydiard Country Park to participate in the Swindon Cycle for Life.

The annual event enables many people who have lost friends and relatives to cancer to put something back by raising money for research.

It is hoped that yesterday's 16-mile ride, which took participants through Hook, Lydiard and out to Minety, will raise around £20,000 for research into cancer.

Friends Emma Harding, 22, of Freshbrook and Louise Westlake, 23, of Hackney in London, were among those taking part.

Emma said: "I've done the Cycle for Life before and I think it's such a great cause."

Toby Fielder, 28, the organiser of the Swindon Cycle for Life event, said: "The turnout was absolutely fantastic much more than last year and because of that more money will go directly to help with research into cancer treatment."

The Swindon ride is one of 18 such events across the country. The money raised will be used to fund research into effective treatments for lung, prostate and testicular cancer.