More than 1,000 cyclists and walkers descended on Thetford Forest today for the annual EDP Ride for Life in aid of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH).

Organisers spoke of their delight after the rain showers held off and hundreds of extra supporters signed up for a bike ride or walk to help the charity, which has a base at Quidenham, near Attleborough.

More than 850 people had registered to take part in the 18th Ride for Life before today's big fundraiser and a further 227 turned up on the day to boost numbers.

Karen Chesney, EACH fundraiser, said the turnout had not quite topped their record of two years ago, but was still a success.

'I am delighted. The weather has held off and I am very pleased. Last year, we thought we would struggle and we raised �52,000 and I'm confident we will do that again.

'It is a really early start and all of the volunteers were here by 7am, which is quite an ask, but a lot of them come back year after year,' she said.

Participants travelled from across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire for EACH's biggest fundraising event of the year.

The EDP sponsored Ride for Life generates more than �50,000 a year for the charity, which needs more than �4m a year to run its three hospices and services for terminally-ill children and their families.