Hundreds of cyclists swept across the scenic Chiltern Hills at the weekend to raise money for charity.

The seventh annual Chilterns Cycle Challenge on Sunday saw more than 400 riders take on a 35 or 75-mile route around the county to support Rennie Grove Hospice Care’s nursing services for patients with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

Orgnaisers said the lycra-clad challengers were not deterred by the blustery day, starting from the centre of Aylesbury and going out to Kimble, Longwick and as far as Bledlow Ridge, returning to Kingsbury Square through Holmer Green, the Chalfonts, the Hampdens and Butlers Cross.

Andy Colsell from Lacey Green took on the ultimate 75-mile route in memory of close family friend Dennis Claydon, who passed away having being cared for by Rennie Grove.

Mr Colsell said: “I grew up with Dennis – we were very close, and I wanted to do something where I could raise some money for the cause and to remember him at the same time.”

Paul Dean, from High Wycombe, returned to the challenge for another push to beat his best.

He said: “I’ve done this particular event every year now, bar one.

“It’s just a really good event. I like that it’s a challenging route, and what’s great is that it’s an early season target with it being in March.

“Most importantly, it’s for a very great charity.”

He managed to beat his personal best, doing the 75-mile route in 4h 11min.

Friends Jenny Greene and Amanda Woodward from Princes Risborough, and mother-daughter duo Celia and Katie Dulieu, and their friend Chloe Watkins, all from Hazlemere, used the 35-mile route as a warm-up for a bigger challenge.

Ms Greene is planning to go from Land’s End to John O’Groats in July, and the Hazlemere trio are cycling to Paris this year.

Gillian Barnett, director of fundraising and marketing for Rennie Grove, said: “The Chilterns Cycle Challenge was a fabulous way to kick off Rennie Grove Hospice Care’s events calendar for 2017, with so many individuals and groups coming together to raise funds for the care we provide for local patients and families.

“We hope to raise £30,000 from this event which is well on the way to funding one of our specialist hospice at home nurses for a year.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who turned out [on Sunday], despite the wind, to raise money for us and equally to everyone else who made the day possible including staff, volunteers and sponsors.

“Our fantastic marshals deserve a special mention too for giving up their time to cheer on the cyclists and help ensure their safety all around these very long routes.

“It was a great community effort to support a service operating in the heart of the local community.”