There are still places on a sponsored bike ride from Icketon to Lille taking place in September.

A charity race last year, organised to celebrate his 40th birthday by Chris Collinson, landlord of The Ickleton Lion, raised thousands of pounds for the riders’ chosen charities. Several people made over £2,000 for their good cause.

Over four days, 19 people cycled 300 miles ending at the Arc de Triomphe with champagne in the Champs Elysees.

Spokesman for the group, David Mathias told the Reporter: “The trip was such a success that we’ve decided to organise another trip. This year we’re undertaking a route from Ickleton to Lille.

“As we are raising money for Help for Heroes and The British Royal Legion along with Ickleton Cricket Club, the trip will start 100 years since the Battle of the Somme.

“We will be cycling from Ickleton to Harwich, then crossing into Holland.

“The route will move along part of a Tour de France section into Belgium. We’ll then travel around the countryside through Bruges taking in a few of the commemorative sites and arriving in Ypres to pay our respects at the Menin Gate.

“The last day will be a 100-mile challenge including parts of the Paris-Roubaix course, with the whole trip being over 300 miles. We’ll arrive in Lille with the rest of the weekend free to explore Lille with family and friends before hopping on the Eurostar home.”

The ride will be from Tuesday, September 6 to Friday, September 9 with the rest of the weekend free to explore Lille.

Several people who cycled last year are taking part again.

The extra places to make up 25 in all, are being offered on a first come first served basis.

To book one or to sponsor the event and have a company logo on the tour shirts, contact David at ickleton.cyclists@gmail.com