THREE keen cyclists are hoping to fire up funds for an appeal to raise £35,000 to create a specialist playground at the Alexandra Hospital.

Two Redditch and Bromsgrove police officers, Jason Wathes and Vince Hill, and businessman Paul Cope will be setting off from Lands End to John O' Grouts on April 11.

And after completing the challenge on April 20 they hope to have raised at least £2,000 towards the playground appeal, which is currently standing at £27,000.

Sgt Wathes said: "The three of us are very keen cyclists and we have wanted to do the Lands End to John O' Grouts ride for a challenge for a long time. But we didn't just want to do it without raising money for a local charity."

The police officers both live in Worcester and cycle to and from work each day in an attempt to prepare for the 890 mile cycle ride.

Work on creating the playground, for able bodied and disabled youngsters, is set to start on the Woodrow Drive site soon.

Anyone who would like to sponsor the ride can send cheques payable to the Alexandra Hospital League of Friends Playground Appeal.

The cheques can be sent to Sgt Vince Hill, Bromsgrove Police Station, The Crescent, Bromsgrove.