TWO local men certainly don't have to worry about their Christmas over-indulgence this year, after completing a 24-hour cycle ride for charity.

Steve Penna and Lloyd Marshall are training for the London Marathon in April, and have completed a 300-mile exercise bike ride, raising £500 for their two chosen charities: CLIC Sargent and the National Blind Children's Society. The bike ride took place in North Tawton square over the weekend of December 18 and 19, and Steve said the report was invaluable.

'As we got closer to the event, we just kept asking each other why we had ever decided to do the challenge, but on the weekend, the support we received from the people of North Tawton was absolutely incredible and made the whole event worthwhile.

'We started at 8pm on Friday, and finished 24 hours later, and there were people there throughout the challenge supporting us and donating money.

'We burned about 4,000 calories each, so we enjoyed a guilt-free Christmas dinner!'

Steve and Lloyd are already planning their next fundraising event, an auction night at the Pretoria Vaults in Okehampton on Saturday February 5. A great range of sporting items will be auctioned off, including a signed Exeter City ball, tickets for Plymouth, Torquay, Yeovil and Saracens, as well as signed shirts, horse riding sessions, massages and much more. There will also be a raffle and disco on the night.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact Steve on [email protected]">[email protected] or 01837 52555.