CYCLISTS pedalling from Scotland to London to raise awareness of the deadly condition sepsis called at Airedale Hospital.

Team members spoke to emergency care staff during their stop at the Steeton site this weekend.

The cyclists are converging on the capital today to attend a reception hosted by the chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on sepsis, Cheryl Gillan.

It was the third annual Cycle4Sepsis ride.

Sepsis, which is caused when the body's immune system overreacts to infection, claims 37,000 lives a year.

Dr Ron Daniels, chairman of the UK Sepsis Trust, said: "We hope that this event will help patients and healthcare professionals find out more about how to detect and treat the disease in the early stages, and maximise the chances of recovery.

"This year the Government has driven up care standards but more needs to be done to raise awareness levels throughout the UK."

Dr Joel Brown, of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, met the visiting cyclists.

He said: "I know people who have died from this prolific disease and anything we can do to help raise awareness of its symptoms and prevent future deaths must be a good thing."