A COMEDY night provided a bellyful of laughs as well as raising much-needed cash for a Pendle cycle club.

Olympic gold medallist Steven Burke accepted the cheque for Cycle Sport Pendle after an evening of comedy raised £2,224 for the club, Cancer Research and rugby union club Keighley RUFC.

Guests were treated to comic turns from MC Dan Nightingale, English comedian of the year Brennan Reece, Lancashire comedian Katie Mulgrew and Rib Rouse, winner of So You Think You Are Funny, at the event hosted by Keighley-based outdoor education specialists High Adventure.

Mr Burke, who was awarded an MBE for services to cycling and is nicknamed The Colne Cyclone, is heavily involved in Cycle Sport Pendle which is based in the town.

The club’s cycle track is known as the Steven Burke Hub and it is currently developing its rider development programme to help talented teens compete across the UK.

A new BMX pump has also opened which is helping to kick start the cycling careers of teens across the area.

Mr Burke, who rides as part of the WIGGINS cycling team and was part of the GB team who retained the team pursuit title at last year’s Olympics, visited the club to accept the £900 cheque and meet young cyclists.

He said: “Encouraging young children in this ever growing sport is so important.

“It is great to see the club developing young riders and I am particularly impressed with the Rider Development Programme which focuses on riders with passion and ability.

“Who knows, the next Olympic medallist could have been nurtured right here.”

Tim Ferguson, of High Adventure, said: “It is very much part of the High Adventure ethos to support local causes.

“Having fun in the process is great.

“An incredible £2,244 was raised on the evening and we were delighted to be able to share it between three very worthy causes.”

High Adventure will be hosting another comedy evening on October 8.