A group of hardy cyclists set off on a gruelling 285-mile bike ride in memory of murdered Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox this morning.

The Jo Cox Way bike ride, now in its second year, began at the Princess Mary Athletics Stadium, Cleckheaton, and will finish at the Houses of Parliament on Sunday.

The ride will celebrate community spirit and raise money for the Jo Cox Foundation, which was set up to advance the causes Jo championed.

It has been supported by Jo's family and her sister, Kim Leadbeater, will be taking part in some of the ride.

The cycling initiative was devised by Sarfraz Mian, BEM, chief executive officer of equestrian company Neue Schule, based in Stokesley, North Yorkshire.

“I didn't know Jo but, like so many others, I was struck by her values and belief that communities are always stronger when people work together,” he said.

“Cyclists on The Jo Cox Way will wear jerseys emblazoned with the statement '#moreincommon', wording taken from Jo's maiden speech in the House of Commons when she said, 'we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us'.

"The Jo Cox Way is our tribute to her life, her beliefs and the spirit of community that exists throughout the country in our villages, towns and cities.”