Determined villagers took on a cycle challenge to raise money for a defibrillator at the newly refurbished village hall.

Tolpuddle residents pedalled their way from Bath back to their west Dorset village in a two-day sponsored cycle.

While 17 riders completed the 86 mile journey the whole village pulled together to play their part in the fundraising challenge.

Cyclist Mervyn Harris, who completed the route a few years ago, took on the role of coordinator along with his wife Jan.

He said: “The planning process went up a gear by making arrangements to transport the bikes to Bath, arranging train tickets, accommodation for the Saturday night, confirming the cycle routes and organising stopping places to meet up with the support vehicles.”

Those not getting on the saddle offered support where they could with Jam Mason of Newglaze volunteering his van as a support vehicle along with himself behind the wheel.

An additional support vehicle was offered by Will Vickery while Peter Walton and Tim Read volunteered to do the 6am drop off for the riders to catch the train to Bath.

Water, bananas, and energy bars were supplied by Rye Hill Farm, Bere Regis, to keep the group fuelled on route.

As the riders assembled at dawn on Saturday, September 30 Mervyn said: “We were woken by heavy rain, so by the time we walked to the pub for 6.10am we were already wet, but everyone was in good spirits and looking froward to the next couple of days.”

The route took the team along the river Avon before picking up the Two Tunnels course.

They then followed the old railway line onwards through the Longleat Estate and in to Horsington for a a well-deserved night stop having completed 45 miles.

On day two the cyclists headed to Sturminster Newton and then to Blandford via Shillingstone before riding into Tolpuddle to be greeted by a host of friendly faces at the Local Martyrs Pub.

Mervyn said: “It was a fantastic experience and once again the community of Tolpuddle have done their bit. A huge thank you to all those who sponsored us.”

A group will reveal how much was raised at an even at the Local Martyrs on Saturday, November 11.