Four Ilford firefighters have pedalled to the far reaches of England as part of a charity cycle ride around the country.

Ally Warnock, crew manager Jim Jobson, Casey Moroney and Neil Friend, supported by retired firefighter Mick Chubb, spent four days cycling more than 200 miles along the Scottish border.

The mission began in 2010 in Ilford and the group have completed three previous legs through Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Yorkshire.

They are hoping to raise more than £5,000 this year for the Teenage Cancer Trust, a children’s hospice and the Firefighters’ Charity.

Ally said the cycle through Carlisle and along the coast around the Lake District began as an uphill struggle.

He added: “We knew the terrain was going to be very challenging but that was compounded on the first two days by up to 60mph headwinds and rain.

“At times it was as hard to cycle down the hills as it was to cycle up them, which certainly pushed us to the limit.”

Luckily, the weather improved in the last two days for an easier finish.

Ilford Blue Watch also has other fundraising drives throughout the year and thanked supporters including the Exhange Ilford, O’Grady’s bar, Faces and residents who have donated.