DORSET residents are being urged to ride or stride to raise money for the maintenance and repair of the county’s historic churches.

Simon Pomeroy, chairman of the Dorset Historic Churches Trust (DHCT), said the annual fundraising day is a great way for residents to explore the county’s ‘wonderful’ churches.

Volunteers of all ages are gearing up to pedal for their parish at this year’s ride and stride event, organised locally by DHCT.

Participants are being invited to cycle, walk and even horse ride to as many churches as possible on Saturday, September 13 between 10am and 6pm.

There is no official route and participants seek sponsorship to visit as many, or indeed as few, as they feel able in the time allocated.

Riders and striders taking part in the event will be raising money for the maintenance and repair of Dorset’s historic churches, with all sponsorship split between DHCT and their nominated church.

Since 1991, DHCT has raised more than £875,000 from the event, which was formerly known as the Great Cycle Ride.

The money raised is the main source of income, which has helped 27 churches in need of repair and renovation in 2013, by awarding grant-aid totalling £99,500. Mr Pomeroy said: “The annual ride and stride event is a great way for all the family to explore some of our wonderful local churches either on foot, by bicycle, wheelchair or on horseback while raising funds to support their local church and the important work that DHCT does across the county.

“We are very much looking forward to this year’s event and hope to see many people out and about enjoying the Dorset countryside on Saturday, September 13.” Regional law firm Porter Dodson, with offices in Sherborne and Dorchester, is once again sponsoring the official ‘Ride+Stride’ distinctive yellow T-Shirts.

These will be given out to the cyclists who are taking part in the event.

More than 300 churches across towns and villages will be open throughout the day, providing refreshments.

To register as a participant, or for further information, visit rideandstrideuk.org