FIVE intrepid school leavers from St John's in Marlborough hope to have reached John O'Groats today (Thursday) after cycling from Land's End.

The five decided on the charity ride in aid of Cancer Research UK as a way of capping off their school careers.

Tom Tapper, Mark Elias, Luke Budden, Danny Little and Robby Stroud are all off to university in September.

Before they left, Tom, who planned the ride, said: "We hope to collect about £3,000 in sponsorship."

Grafton-based taxi boss Philip Barber ferried the five teenagers and their bikes to Land's End for free ready for the start on July 14.

Tom, whose father Steve is head of geography at St John's, said: "Apart from one puncture and a bit of saddle soreness everything has gone well."