SCORES of cyclists pedalled through Hampshire to raise much-needed cash for disabled pre-school children.

Eighty cyclists – including several in fancy dress – left the Bishops Blaze pub in Romsey for the annual charity bike ride organised by landlord Wayne Jacobs.

Daily Echo:

The route took them 26 miles through the Test Valley, raising more than £2,500 for Romsey Opportunity Group, which gives disabled under-fives the chance to learn, play and socialise with other children while meeting with professionals for speech therapy and physiotherapy and giving their parents respite.

Lyn Bird is the family co-ordinator for the charity, which is based at the Appletree Centre, behind Romsey Library.

She said: “We’re a small charity so we rely totally on these sorts of donations because we receive no mainstream funding.

“Without this we would not be able to give parents much-needed respite and a helping hand to little ones who are behind in their development.”