A GROUP of motorcyclists from Somerset have travelled over 1,000 miles to raise money for a charity which benefits hospitals in the county.

Six bikers who are volunteers for the Yeovil Freewheelers charity, set off from Dorchester at 11pm on Thursday, June 6, and headed south to Lands End before then travelling up to John O'Groats, a distance of 1,018 miles.

The group arrived at Lands End at 3am on Friday morning, and had travelled over 500 miles by 10am.

An online fundraiser has already raised almost £600 for the charity, and donations can be made via the official JustGiving page.

The Yeovil Freewheelers, known locally as YFW Blood Bikes, is a charity that operates from Yeovil District Hospital, Dorset County Hospital, Musgrove Park Hospital, and Wincanton Community Hospital.

Volunteers provide the NHS with an emergency medical motorcycle courier 24/7, 365 days per year.

The group is often called upon to carry any urgently needed medical items that can be safely carried on a motorbike, which have included blood and blood products, blood samples, biopsies, MRI scans, X-rays, prescription drugs, breast milk and a variety of medical equipment and medical documents.