AROUND 130 cyclists pedalled up to 100km to raise money for heart patients at Royal Bournemouth Hospital on Sunday.

The annual Pedal Power 2016 event took place from The White Buck Inn, located in Burley, with participants choosing to follow either a 100k, 50k, or 10k route through the New Forest. Depending on the distance chosen, it took keen cyclists through Burley village, Bransgore, Sopley and Ringwood.

Riders were encouraged to get sponsored by family and friends ahead of the cycle, with donations helping to fund a vascular transducer probe. It will benefit around 700 patients each year who undergo a procedure to treat heart rhythm disturbances at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Barry Wilson from the Royal Bournemouth Hospital Charity said that the event went 'very well' and it completed a running record of 'three years of the event taking place under sunshine'.

Participants each had their own very personal reasons for wanting to take part.

Russell Chambers, 51, from Boscombe Overcliff, was the first to collect his racing number from the registration desk ready to take on the 100km route.

He said: "I did the 55-mile route Rotary Dorset Bike Ride event for Cancer Research UK, which ended up being 104km as I cycled there and back. My dad has been in the heart unit a few times over the past 10 or 15 years and they do an incredible job so I wanted to do my bit."

Alison Broom, 46, from Lytchett Matravers, said she was taking on the 100km cycling route in honour of her husband, Russell, and colleague, Andy Cook, 48, from Southbourne, who was also completing the ride. Other members of the JP Morgan Chase cycling group included Mike Harwood, Tina Lynn, Bradley Stocker, Vicky Weal and Ashley Smith.

Ms Lynn said: "I did the cycle for various reasons. This will be my fourth year of the event for people like Andy, who had a stroke and my mum, who has also been helped by the heart unit. I do encourage people to sign up for the cycle."

Nathan Pearce, 40, and Drew Nicolls, 26, both from Southampton, were taking on the 50km route, as they said it was for a good cause and they did not believe that Southampton General Hospital had a similar event.

Gary Neave, 44, from Wallisdown, and Jim Sheppard, 40, from Springbourne, were taking part as part of their employers, Eden Vauxhall, who were supporters of the event.

Gary said: "We were supplying the support vehicle for the event. It's a local cause and Eden Vauxhall is a local business, so it's nice to show our support for the community."

Matt, 53, and Rachel Palmer, 47, from Whitecliff in Poole, were joined by friends, Stephanie Lewars, 44, from Ashley Cross, and Vincent Rochard, 45, from Parkstone for the 100km. Matt said: "It was a lovely day and we did the same event last year."

All participants for the event received a goody bag and a medal after crossing the finishing line.