A group of 19 intrepid cyclists have just pedalled the length of France to raise more than £26,000 for children's and cancer charities.

Riding from Roscoff in the north to the Spanish border in the south, the Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Peloton Cycle Group collectively clocked up more than 7,500 miles on their adventure.

This was the second charity ride by the Pelotons - whose membership is made up of police officers, police staff and business people from around the area - following on from the success of their 2004 cycling tour of the police stations in Dyfed-Powys.

This latest challenge posed more than its fair share of arresting situations, including the weather.

Organiser, Anthony Mattick said: "The group endured the worst weather for the time of year since 1999, with gusting winds of up to 35mph on the third day, which was not exactly conducive to riding a pedal cycle in the countryside."

And plenty more tests of stamina, resourcefulness and good humour included an unplanned detour 3,100 feet up into the Pyrenees; several of the group being involved in a road accident in a taxi and getting lost several times a day due to the French road signs. Then their return ferry from Santander in Spain was unable to sail after crashing into a freak wave, leaving the riders and their six support team members to have to drive back through the whole of France.

The group - whose average age is 40-plus - has now presented at least £2,500 each to their nine chosen charities.

Anthony added: "We are proud that in just two rides, we have raised over £56,500 for locally-based cancer and children's charities."

The riders and support team were: Anthony Mattick (event organiser), Bryan Jones, Mandy Rees, Ian Mock, Janice Mock, Ian Evans, Anne Evans, Ieuan Matthews, Emma Matthews, Neil Langdon, Tim Brace, Sue Brace, Conrad Rees, Alison Rees, Pam Griffiths, Karl Griffiths, Jo Thompson, Helen Neilson, Phil Edwards, Steve Davies, John Morris, Bob Charles, Gary Thomas, John Priestly, Cheryl Payne and Phillip Payne.

The hard-earned money went to: cancer wards at Withybush and Prince Philip Hospitals, the Paul Sartori Foundation, the Pembrokeshire Sibling Group,Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, the Special Care Baby Unit Pembrokeshire/Carmarthenshire, the Pembrokeshire Cancer Support group, Action for Victims of Medical Accident and the Travel Fund for Sick Children.