Pedal power, glorious sunshine and bags of goodwill were all winners on Sunday as more than 1,000 cyclists and walkers explored Thetford Forest for charity.

PEDAL power, glorious sunshine and bags of goodwill were all winners on Sunday as more than 1,000 cyclists and walkers explored Thetford Forest for charity.

Ride for Life - one of the largest fundraisers for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) - was a resounding success and is expected to raise £60,000.

Families with small children, groups of friends and people of all ages gathered in Santon Downham to set off on four different bike routes and two walks around the forest.

There was something for everyone and all fitness levels, from a pleasant three-mile stroll to a gruelling 25-mile trek through dense woodland.

Simon Hempsall, marketing manager for Each, said: "It's been absolutely incredible. It's been really friendly and everybody we've spoken to has had a really fun day and can't wait to come back next year.

"This all creates fantastic awareness for us."

He added that last year's event was hampered by wet weather and organisers had feared that riders would not return.

"We were concerned people wouldn't come back but clearly that hasn't happened," he said.

The event, now in its 15th year, is a focal point for many people who support the charity or have experience of its hospices at nearby Quidenham, Ipswich and Milton, near Cambridge.

Of the 1,100 taking part there were at least four families who have been supported by Each.

Eight-year-old Jacob Moorhouse, of East Harling, who died last December, was remembered by his family and a "Team Jacob" collective of 30 friends and colleagues who pedalled round the 10-mile off-road route in T-shirts designed by his sister, Bethany, 11.

Cash generated since the event was founded has now smashed through the £500,000 mark.