Wanderers' mascot Lofty the Lion got on his bike to welcome the Yates' cyclists to their head office on Manchester Road, Bolton, during their charity cycle ride from Brighton to Newcastle upon Tyne A 600-MILE charity cycle challenge rolled into Bolton en route to raising a big charity total.

A team of cyclists from the Bolton-based Yates Group, which runs Yates' Wine Lodges, arrived in town at the end of a gruelling 55 mile stage of a national tour which started at Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.

The six-strong team are completing the sponsored challenge in aid of the NSPCC, Variety Club of Great Britain and Stoke Mandeville Hospital's Sporting Chance Appeal.

The cyclists, who include managing director Tim Meggitt and Davina Dickson, wife of chief executive Peter Dickson, began their challenge in Brighton and were due to finish in Newcastle upon Tyne yesterday.

A supporting team of southern riders was replaced at Nottingham by a new team who will cover the northern stretch. Day riders will also join the cyclists.

From Bolton the team cycled to Yeadon, near Leeds, passing through Accrington, Colne and Silsden.