More than 300 cyclists saddled up to be part of a popular charity bike ride.

The Beccles Cycle for Life charity ride returned for its 18th year on Sunday, May 12, with cyclists of all ages and abilities riding a variety of routes.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Beccles, the ride raises funds that are split evenly between the East Anglian Air Ambulance and the Rotary Club's charitable trust equally.

With the mayor of Beccles, Elfrede Brambley-Crawshaw, setting the cyclists off at 10am, the riders headed south from the Sir John Leman High School in Beccles on five possible distances of eight, 16, 25, 41 and 50 miles.

John Swanbury, publicity officer at the Rotary Club, said: "It went very well, we had a marvellous day for it.

"The numbers were a bit down with the rain last year, but we were well over 300 on the road this year.

"We had very strong support from a number of local cycling clubs and there were some lovely comments from people saying it was the best organised ride that they had taken part in and how pleasant the course was in the Suffolk countryside.

"We are still in thwe process of adding all the sponsorship up but we think we have raised about £7,000.

"We very much appreciate those who took part."

With prizes to be won for riders who raised the most sponsorship, certificates were presented for the distance ridden to all who finished.