HUNDREDS of you pedalled for your parish this year to raise a staggering £80,000 for the Dorset Historic Churches Trust.

The annual Ride and Stride event, held in September, is the main source of income for the trust, which fundraises throughout the year to support some 170 parish and church communities across the county.

The national fundraising event encouraged residents of all ages to abandon their cars in favour of cycling, walking, or even riding to churches and chapels throughout Dorset.

This year, 73-year-old Alan Neades, from Piddlehinton, took part in his sixth Ride and Stride.

He said: "My shoes had become waterlogged before I reached my first church and everywhere I came across standing water which meant passing cars provided me with an impromptu shower.

"Nevertheless it was a great event, I visited 40 churches and covered a fantastic 70 miles. I am sure the hills get steeper every year."

Money raised from the event help Dorset Historic Churches Trust pay for vital repairs, maintenance, and restoration work across all the county's churches.

Thirteen cyclists from the Mud Pie Cafe in Okeford Fitzpaine cycled 28 miles and visited 10 churches from Shillingstone to Sturminster Newton.

Winfrith veteran Julian Cherryson raised £1,606 for St Christopher's church , while Lesley and Shaun Burt walked from their home to four churches in the parish to raise £303 for Holy Trinity.

For the second year, pupils from Lulworth and Winfrith Primary School also took part and helped fundraise £160.

Simon Pomeroy, Chairman of DHCT, said: "We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s Ride and Stride event.

"We are thrilled with the amount raised, which will allow us to continue helping to preserve beautiful churches across Dorset for future generations to enjoy.

"We aim to donate £100,000 towards church restoration and improvement and this year’s Ride and Stride will make that possible once again."