A Harpenden-based charity is set to benefit from a gruelling mega-triathlon event held at the weekend.

Supporters of the Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T) Society took part in the Mega Tri for Lola Bloomer event which consisted of three individual disciplines, a 4km swim, a 180km cycle ride and the 42km Brighton marathon.

Participants could chose to do just one or two of the events or all of them.

The aim was to raise £50,000 for the charity which supports the families of children diagnosed with A-T, a rare degenerative disease which usually appears in children, causing severe disability, immuno-deficiency and an increased risk of cancer.

Lola Bloomer is a three year old who has just been diagnosed with the condition.

A-T Society fundraiser Suzanne Roynon said: “This was a weekend where sport truly brought people together. Our youngest swimmer was just seven years old, two runners travelled from Italy and four men took part in all three elements and were still smiling at the end of the marathon.”