A BOOM in cycling this year has proved to be good for communities and charities as well as individuals.

More and more people are getting back on their bikes for their health, for fun, for a cheap way of getting from A to B and for the environment.

And hundreds of cyclists took part in an event at Oulton Park this summer for charity, raising thousands of pounds for five good causes from across mid Cheshire.

The counting is complete, the sums have been done and the final amount raised by the Get On Your Bike event in June has been announced as more than £9,700.

The event was organised by Vale Royal Lions with St Luke’s Hospice, the Neuromuscular Centre, the North West Air Ambulance and League of Friends for Tarporley War Memorial Hospital, in conjunction with the Guardian’s Pedal Power campaign.

Maureen Hellyer-Brown, from Vale Royal Lions, said: “We are delighted to report that this successful event raised over £9,700 and each of the five charities received around £1,950 to use for their community work.

“A huge ‘thank you’ from Vale Royal Lions Club to everyone who supported the event and contributed to this success.”

She added: “This was an opportunity for cyclists to ride on this famous track in complete safety, a unique experience.”

The event, which took place on June 16, saw around 400 people cycle around the hallowed racing circuit.

Cyclists of all ages took part, from four-year-old who has just mastered the art of riding his bike without stabilisers to a 90-year-old who cycles every week and everything in between.