Around 1,200 riders enjoyed a sun-kissed tour around the district for the 21st St Albans Charity Cycle Ride (SACCR) on Sunday.

The annual fundraiser took cyclists on routes through the Herts countryside ranging from 10 to 40 miles, and it is hoped this year’s event will raise between £25,000 to £35,000 for local charities.

The three Rotary Clubs in St Albans joined up with Rotarians from Hitchin, Luton, Bedford and Radlett to host the event.

The principal charities to benefit from the event are Macmillan Nurses who provide specialist cancer and palliative care, Medical Detection Dogs offering cutting edge services in the early detection of cancers and The Daylight Club, a friendly social club for adults of working age with physical disabilities living within the district. Other charities to benefit include Earthworks, where members of the Interact Club of St Albans - a Rotary club for students aged 12-18 - raised more than £200 through the sale of home-made cakes.

Stephen Potter, president of the Rotary Club of St Albans Verulamium, said: “The most striking feature of the event was the good humour and fun that lit up the start. Families, scout troops, work colleagues all mingling with the serious club riders. Young and old having fun but raising sponsorship money at the same time and perhaps returning with a few sore limbs. Thank you St Albans. My thanks also go to more than 200 volunteers, Rotarians and their friends, who manned the registration tent, marshalled the route and checkpoints and generally kept everybody safe.”

Next year’s event is planned to take place on Sunday May 14. Further details will be available towards the end of the year from the St Albans Charity Cycle Ride website.