STAFF from a Dorchester accountancy firm and their colleagues from across the South West raised almost £9,000 through a charity cycle ride.

A total of 21 employees from Old Mill, pictured, took on a 140-mile challenge over two days to raise £8,986 for the School in a Bag charity, which provides stationary, learning resources and eating utensils to poor, orphan, vulnerable and disaster affected children throughout the world.

The ride started at the firm’s Melksham office, with the cyclists heading to the Wells branch and then Yeovil as they covered 62 miles on the first day.

The second day saw them take on a total of 78 miles as they headed to Dorchester before finishing at the Exeter office.