BIG hearted Bolton workers have set the wheels in motion to help one of the country's biggest charities and have already celebrated a grand success.

Staff at Horwich-based Hitachi Automotive Products Europe Ltd got on their bikes to raise money for cancer research.

An 11-strong group made up of production line and office workers took to the road for a 60 mile sponsored cycle ride from Bolton to Southport and back which raised £700.

And other workers made £300 through dressing down events each Friday.

Staff members have already handed over the £1,000 to the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, which Hitachi has chosen as its charity to support through the year.

Managing director Akira Miyamoto said: "Everyone knows someone who has had cancer and we feel it is important to support the Imperial Cancer Research Fund who are looking to find new answers to this disease.

"Our fundraising success has been down to the commitment of the people here and the support of their families and friends in sponsoring them." While Nicki Embleton who received the money for the fund said there was never a better time to support the charity.

"One in three people in the UK will develop cancer at some time in their life," she said. "Imperial Cancer hopes to make this none in three and thanks to the support from our friends at Hitachi, it will help our 1,000 doctors and scientists continue their work to find new answers to cancer."

DEDICATED: Staff from Hitachi in Horwich celebrate raising £1,000 for Imperial Cancer Research through their determination to help the charity