VILLAGERS enjoyed a successful charity bike ride to raise cash for their village hall roof.

Urswick Recreation Hall is in desperate need of new slates and fundraisers have already made huge strides making the £16,000 needed for the project.

On Saturday, 30 riders set off from the General Burgoyne pub and toured several places before returning there for supper at the end.

The trip, which raised £200, included stops at the Derby Arms, Urswick, The Lancastrian, Croftlands, the Miners Arms, Swarthmoor, the Wellington Inn, Loppergarth, the Railway at Lindal and The Stagger Inn, Stainton.

It is the fourth time the charity ride has been held but the first time funds will go to a purely local charity.

Burgoyne landlord Craig Sherrington said: "It was a great day out and it was great to be involved in organising the cycle ride this year. I've been on the ride a few times now and there's a real sense of community spirit."

Volunteers like Ann Bell, Sheila Tyson and Barbara Ormandy have spent months organising car boot sales and other events to raise money for the much-needed new roof.

Mrs Bell said: "It's been great to see the amount of support we've had. People have been keen to join in with the car boot sales and other fundraisers.

"We've also had some brilliant donations so we should soon be able to start planning for the new roof."

Every penny of the £8 entrance fee went to charity. The pub provided free pie and peas for anyone who took part.