A record number of riders took to the saddle and raised thousands of pounds for charity during this year’s Beccles Cycle for Life.

More than 500 people took part in the charity bike ride, which is organised by the Rotary Club of Beccles.

Entrants set off from Sir John Leman Lower School this morning and completed either a 25, 15 or seven mile route, with the option to go around the course twice for even longer 50 or 40 mile rides.

Proceeds from the event will be shared between the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) and the Rotary Club of Beccles Charitable Trust.

Peter Bush, chairman of the event committee, said: “It went very well. We had a record number of riders.

“The weather started off a bit drizzly when I was out at 6am putting out the way markers but it cleared up and by the time they set off at 10am it was a nice day for cycling. It was not too hot and not too windy and everybody seemed to have a whale of a time.”

? See Friday’s Beccles and Bungay Journal for a full report and more pictures.