CYCLISTS from Otley have raised £16,000 in memory of a friend by riding to Paris.

Nine local men had decided to undertake the 500 mile challenge, backed by a support crew, in honour of Carl Hughes.

Carl, whose nickname was Drog, died following a motocross accident in 2015 so the Otley to France ride was dubbed Le Tour de Drog in his memory.

The team - Jean-Pierre Labadie, Greg Lambert-Tuthill, Ricky Hemingway, Joe Dobinson, Andrew Simpson, Tom Holmes, Chris Tomlinson, Jordan Dibb and Graham Kerr - set off from the Jubilee Clock on Sunday, September 4.

They reached the French capital after six days of cycling and were met by family and friends who had travelled over to greet them.

Joe Dobinson said: "We would all like to thank the support crew who joined us all the way to Paris; it wasn't just the riders that achieved something special it was also the crew who got us there.

"Also a massive thank you to everybody back home that encouraged us all the way, not only over the six days of cycling but from day one when we thought of this challenge - and also family and friends who met us under the Eiffel Tower at the finish.

"It was a great ending for a great friend."

Jordan Dibb and Graham Kerr added: "We couldn't have thought of a better group of lads to do this with in honour of a great cousin, but most of all a great friend.

"There were some hard times but they are far outweighed by the good times we had on the road remembering Carl."

Proceeds from the ride will go to North West Air Ambulance, who helped Carl following his accident.

Donations can still be made at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LTDD .