A veterinary nurse is planning to swap her animal patients for a mechanical beast and take part in the country's only charity night bike ride.

Mum-of-two Jody Gardiner, from Attleborough, is in training for the 'Ride The Night Women V Cancer 2017' event which will see scores of women ride 100kms through London at night.

Mrs Gardiner, 37, said the challenge would be a big change from her regular nights, which were often spent working as a 'night nurse' at a veterinary referral specialists in Hertfordshire.

She said: 'Cycling itself has become a passion and it is an amazing way to explore the local area.

'I enjoy just heading out and discovering new places.

'I'm hoping to raise lots of money for the charities and very excited to be riding with so many ladies on the night itself.

'I'm really looking forward to seeing the sights of London from my bicycle and hoping the weather stays nice throughout the ride.'

Participants are raising money for charities including Breast Cancer Care, Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action.

Mrs Gardiner said she was inspired to take part by her grandma, who survived breast cancer. She said: 'Without the treatment options and surgery made available to her she would not be here today at the amazing age of 91 to enjoy her great grandchildren.'

Mrs Gardiner said she only started cycling last August, and she bought her first road bike in October.

She said: 'I get out and train around Attleborough often heading towards Diss/Harleston with my longest distance to date being a 57-mile ride out to Chediston, Suffolk and back.'

Mrs Gardiner said she often rode with a ladies' group called Breeze, which is based in Hawstead in Suffolk.

She said: 'Breeze groups are dedicated ladies-only cycling groups organised by British Cycling are a fantastic way for ladies of any ability with any bicycle to get into cycling and progress as I have with them.'

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Jody-GardinerFor more information about the Ride the Night event, which takes place on May 5 and again on May 26, visit www.ridethenight.co.uk