Staff at the Derbyshire Times are set to get on their bikes for charity, raising money for cancer research in honour of a workmate who died from the disease.

A team from the Chesterfield-based weekly are planning an 80-mile sponsored cycle from Bolsover to Sutton-on-Sea in memory of colleague Alan Peters, who died of a brain tumour.

Reporter Jon Cooper, property supervisor Robbie Hague, keyboard team leader Andy Nunn and keyboard operators Jeff Ellis, Alan Roberts and Kevin Bingham (pictured below), will take to the road for the east coast ride on July 3, with other volunteers from the paper forming a support team.

Jon said: “There are a few others who are also hoping to take part doing 20 mile stints, so there could be a bit of a convoy.

“Everyone wants to do their bit to raise money for cancer research in Alan’s name because he was so well thought of. It’s a real team effort across the board.”

The team is now busily training for the event, out on the road and at the gym, and sponsorship money is already beginning to roll in.

Jon said: “We’ll be starting out at 6.30 in the morning – which could prove more difficult that the ride itself.

“It will also be the first day of the Tour de France, so we will be in good company!”