A TEAM of bank workers is raising funds for Help the Hospices by tackling the Coast to Coast Bike Ride.

A total of 28 employees from the Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks will take on the 172-mile trip from Workington to Whitby.

Paul Ruddock, 53, from Waterfoot, Glasgow, works as a senior relationship manager for Clydesdale Bank and is a seasoned fundraiser who completed a charity cycle from John O'Groats to Land's End earlier this year.

Paul said: "It's fantastic to be setting off with my colleagues, as well as the Bank's ambassador Steve Cram, by my side for support.

"I'm hoping to raise much-needed funds for Help the Hospices at the same time."

The banks have been working in partnership with Help the Hospices for six years, raising more than £2.9million for hospice care so far, and they expect to raise a further £45,000 with this event.