Cycling has not always been a pleasant pastime for theatre nurses Irene Fowler and Jeanette Bray.

Irene was catapulted head over heals by a careless driver, leaving her with a seriously injured knee and staring at her own colleagues from a theatre trolley at Airedale General Hospital, Steeton.

And the last time Jeanette - who also works at Airedale - ventured on two wheels, she was deposited in a bramble bush.

But the two grandmothers are undeterred from taking up a cycling challenge along the banks of the River Nile.

They will follow in the tracks of TV doctor Professor Robert Winston - the only man on the - Women for Women Cycle the Nile adventure organised by the Institute of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Trust.

Around 100 women will tackle the nine-day, 400-kilometre challenge starting on Monday, October 18. Between now and then, Irene and Jeanette aim to get fit and raise £2,500 each.

"We will get into serious training in the spring. I already work out in the gym and I've done the Great North Run twice, so I'm not averse to the physical side," said Jeanette, 44, of Myrtle Drive, Cross Roads, near Keighley.

Irene, 49, of Moor Way, Oakworth, is more familiar with a bike. She cycles for pleasure and is a veteran of the Woman for Woman challenge, joining its Middle East trip two years ago.

"Jeanette will practice in quieter areas at first and then we will cycle to work together to build up our stamina," said Irene. "Appeal chairman Lord Winston didn't take part in the challenge I did two years ago, but he was so impressed by what we did, he took part in the two others that followed - in Turkey and Cuba."

The two women have already organised some fundraising events at Bocking Working Men's Club, Cross Roads - a racing night on Friday, February 20, and a promise auction on Friday, April 30.

Sainsbury's supermarket is allowing them to collect money by packing bags for customers and they are organising a 1970s night in May.

The Egypt challenge is the fourth Women For Women appeal in aid of the Wolfson & Weston Research Centre for Family Health, London. So far £450,000 has been raised.

Anyone who wants to sponsor Irene and Jeanette can contact them on (01535) 646580 or (01535) 646409.