A GROUP of cyclists recently completed a gruelling 1,000 mile bike ride raising a phenomenal £7,250 for charity.

The ride was organised by Mike Adlam, who lives in Edge, and other Five Valleys residents took part including Paul Griffiths and John Cahill, also from Edge, Sean Hackett from Pitchcombe and Mark Reynolds from Whiteshill.

Starting in Barcelona on Sunday, June 20 the 12 cyclists averaged nearly 100 miles each day, often riding in sweltering temperatures and tackling the infamous Pyrenees mountain range on the way.

Riding first out of Spain and then all the way up through France the cyclists and their support team took on the challenge in aid of the Williams Syndrome Foundation.

They completed their journey by cycling into Edge on Saturday, July 3 during the village fete.

Mr Adlam and his wife Valerie, who also took part in the ride, have a 22-year-old son called Sam who was born with Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that, like Down's Syndrome, is caused by an abnormality in chromosomes.

Mr Adlam is also the chairman of the Williams Syndrome Foundation, which is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary.

"The ride was a great success and we all returned home safe and well to be greeted by a few hundred people at Edge village fete," he said.

To sponsor the team visit www.justgiving.com/BarcelonaEdgeBikeRide or send your donation to The Little Ruin, Edge Lane, Edge, Stroud GL6 6NE - cheques payable to Williams Syndrome.