Charity cyclist Eleanor Townsend has reluctantly decided to cancel her latest annual ride – because she’s just had her first baby.

Garden centre worker Mrs Townsend, 28, of Bath Road, Devizes, gave birth to Mabel at the end of June and has decided to forgo this year’s ride in aid of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

For the last three years Mrs Townsend has completed a 60 mile ride, which took in hospitals in Bath and Bristol, where her friend Olly Tuckwell, was treated after he was airlifted by the air ambulance following a crash on the A342 at Lydeway in 2006.

Mrs Townsend has raised more than £4,500 for the air ambulance appeal. Even though she is not doing the cycle ride this year she is urging people to help the appeal by going online to www.easyfundraising.org.uk The website gives shoppers access to hundreds of offers and generates a free donation to the good cause of their choice.