A cycling marathon with a royal flavour is giving a major £5m charity appeal an early boost.

Centre 81 at Great Yarmouth has just launched its vision for a rebuild of its facilities which provide a skills and activities centre for members with a range of disabilities and a base for a busy community transport scheme.

Caister care home Claremont House and Lodge will saddle up as one of the first fundraisers for the £5m appeal on the weekend of the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations.

And a businessman supporter of Centre 81 is re-staging a charity golf day which previously raised £7,000 for the cause, as the community begins to respond to the charity's plea for help towards its target.

The Caister event is a 24-hour bikeathon during Saturday and Sunday June 11-12 as part of Claremont House's events celebrating the Queen's 90th birthday.

Mark Everard of construction company Ovamill previously helped the Centre during his year as captain of Gorleston Golf Club.

Friend Joseph Smith is a member at the Centre and Mr Everard is keen to help the Centre with its appeal, adding: 'They provide a marvellous service and it is important for them to have state-of-the-art facilities.'

The Ovamill Centre 81 Charity Golf day will be on August 9 with 20 four-person teams tackling 18 holes and enjoying a trick shot demonstration by Dave Edwards at Gorleston Golf Club. Anyone wanting to enter should email mark@ovamill.co.uk or call 01502 470037 by the July 30 entry deadline.

Centre 81's appeal seeks to replace a range of aging second-hand buildings at its Tar Works Road base with a modern purpose-built complex including a community café with roof top terrace providing river views. Funding will be a combination of grant applications and community fundraising.