WORKERS from Lindsey Oil Refinery (LOR) have embarked on a gruelling eight-day bike ride for charity.

A group of 12 riders will cycle 930 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The team includes several riders who took part in a special bike ride from Humberside to Paris in 2008 to mark the 40th anniversary of the French firm Total-owned refinery, raising £4,500 for the stroke unit at Grimsby's Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital.

And now, with the backing of two support crew, the riders are undertaking an even bigger challenge – this time for a different charity.

Speaking to the Telegraph before travelling down to Cornwall for the start of the race, control and power technician Dave Haddock, 54, of Barton, said: "Even before we went to Paris we had wanted to do Land's End to John O'Groats.

"It's always been on the back burner."

LPG operator Ray Herring, 53, of Immingham, is the lead rider.

He said: "It's going to be eight tough days for everyone. The Paris ride wasn't half the distance of this. Everyone has done quite a lot of miles and we are just hoping that the weather and the bikes hold up."

The challenge will be especially gruelling for operator Richard Blades, who is still recovering from a broken shoulder he suffered when he fell off his bike five weeks ago.

Richard, 34, of Caistor, said: "It will be interesting to see how long I can last on my bike because since the accident I've not been able to get my training in.

"The shoulder is feeling fine but it's still nowhere near full strength. We'll just have to see how it goes."

In addition to the core team of LOR staff are a number of other cycling enthusiasts, including Simon Akrill, 30, of Brigg.

He said: "I ride with a couple of the guys who work here, got invited to take part and thought it would be a good challenge.

"I've been doing a lot of road training for the past four months, about 160 to 200 miles a week, and the other guys have as well."