EIGHT ladies from Worcester Rowing Club left the river behind and rowed on land as part of a fundraising campaign.

The eight are taking part in the Challenge to Race the Sun on the Isle of White in July, an event held to raise money for Action Medical Research is a UK-wide charity funding vital research to help sick and disabled babies and children.

The event requires teams of four to cycle 45 miles, walk 12 miles and canoe 1,500 meters. Each team has to raise a minimum of £1,800, so with two teams from the rowing club taking part, they need to find a total of £3,600.

On Saturday, the teams were at Crowngate, using rowing machines to cover the length of the River Seven, and on static bikes cycling the distance from Worcester to London.

Pam Ballone of the club said: "By taking part in Race the Sun Isle of Wight, we will be helping to find ways to reduce premature birth, to support children facing a lifetime of challenge caused by disabilities, and to help develop treatments for rare and incurable diseases.

"We're getting a good response from shoppers here; when we explain to them what the charity does, they are very eager to help. We're grateful to all of them and also to the Crowngate management who have let us be here for free."