Hospital staff are turning to pedal power in a gruelling coast-to-coast cycle ride in aid of the Bradford Millennium Scanner Appeal.

Detailed planning is under way by the 14-strong team led by the estates department of Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust. Members usually examine building plans rather than route plans for the ride, dubbed the Belt Across Britain, from Morecambe to Scarborough via Bradford.

The group plans to set off from the Lancashire resort on May 1, arriving on the East Coast the next day.

Participants will stop overnight in Bradford where a bowling contest and a barbecue will be held as part of the effort which it is hoped will raise thousands of pounds for the Telegraph & Argus-backed appeal.

Cycle rider John Wardle, who is director of estates, said it would be the first time most of the group had attempted a challenge.

Some team members planned to cycle the whole 150-mile route while others would attempt stages but they were all looking forward to the bid.

Fitness experts at the hospital had drawn up a routine to get them into trim with gym training and already the riders were gearing up on their bikes. Transport back-up will be provided and two nurses would also be on hand in case of mishaps.

"We thought it would be an innovative way of helping the appeal towards its target while having a bit of fun at the same time," he said.

"We are all enthusiastic cyclists but have never attempted anything like this before and it is a case of getting fit for it.

"Some of the riders want to go the whole hog because it is the only opportunity they may get in their lives to do something like this with the support there behind them."

A logo has been designed for the trek to raise the profile of the event and a belt will be worn by one of the riders along the whole route.

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