A musician will be pedalling for pounds when he tackles a 127-mile bike ride from Liverpool to Leeds.

Jonathan Wood will be cycling the canal route in September to raise money for the charity Bliss which supports families of premature babies.

Guitar player Mr Wood, 32, of Shipley, was inspired to support the cause after the birth of his twins Alfie and Jonathan a year ago.

The twins were born weighing a healthy 5lbs, but Mr Wood said other parents of twins were not so lucky. He found about the charity through online chat forums.

Mr Wood, who is married to Rachel and also dad to Luke, ten, and Joshua, eight, was also inspired by a tragedy a friend suffered.

“One of my friends lost their baby before we had the twins and found it very difficult. They said that with extra support and help they might have been able to spot things sooner.”

He can be sponsored at justgiving.com/jonny-wood1 or by texting LLCC50, followed by an amount to be donated, to 70070.