ORGANISERS of The Rotary Dorset Bike Ride are hoping to smash the £250,000 milestone this year.

The seventh annual event takes place on Sunday, September 9.

The ride, which is organised by the Rotary Club of Westbourne, will see up to 1,000 cyclists take their pick from eight different routes through the Dorset countryside ranging from a gentle 10-mile ride for families to an epic 108-mile route for experienced cyclists.

All races start and finish at Longthorns Campsite near Wareham.

People who want to take part but are unable to attend on the day are invited to take part in the monthly Ride at Your Own Pace.

The 'virtual bike ride' allows people to decide how many miles they would like to complete over the course of a month and where they would like to ride, whether on the road, off the road or even on an exercise bike.

Once they have hit their monthly target, participants will receive a special medal and certificate.

The Rotary Dorset Bike Ride is held in aid of Cancer Research UK and previous events have raised in excess of £220,000 for the charity.

Lead organiser David King said: "Many of the riders have either suffered from cancer or lost family members or friends to cancer and want to raise money to help find cures for the many different types of cancer."

He added: "Cancer Research UK has already made enormous progress in the fight against cancer with survival rates now at 50% compared to 25% in 1970. They can only continue the fight against cancer due to the amazing support of people fundraising at events such as the Rotary Dorset Bike Ride. The cost of staging this event is covered by the sponsors so that as well as the sponsorship raised by the riders, the entire entry fee goes to Cancer Research UK. "

Online entry closes on September 7.

To enter visit dorset-bike-ride.co.uk.