A GROUP of young actors have taken part in an incredible cycling challenge aimed at powering them all the way to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Members of the Stage Door Youth Theatre Group alongside their supporters took it in turns to carry out a collective 24 hour cycling challenge from an exercise bike that they had set up in their New Market Street base.

The distance they cycled came to the equivalent of the length from John O'Groats to Lands End, a total of 874 miles, a was undertaken in order to reach a £1,000 funding target that will finance a trip to perform at next year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Stage Door company director Janet Parkinson said: "Due to Covid-19, our young people have been unable to go and perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for two years now.

"After finding shows and rehearsing, it has been a huge disappointment to not be able to show the talent we share at Stage Door.

"Coming from a small town in the North of England, this opportunity is huge and one many won't get again.

"The cost to go and perform at the Festival is also large and the only way we can achieve this is to fundraise, fundraise, fundraise!"

Bart Building, New Market Street based theatre group aims to provide training and opportunity for young people in and around Colne to experience different theatrical forms.

A chance to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival could be a huge boost to the young performers' development.

Ms Parkinson said: "We wanted to help our young people achieve this opportunity of a lifetime, as they are so talented and deserve to be recognised.

"As predicted, our members accepted the 24-hour challenge with bags of enthusiasm and while there were a lot of achy legs, there were so many more smiles!

"I’m so proud of them all and want to thank members, their families and other supporters for doing their bit, either by taking to the bike or making a welcome donation."

The money the group has raised currently stands at £1,475, with Ms Parkinson aiming to reach a new £2,000 target in the next few weeks.

She said: "If anyone can help support our young people in any small way, we would be very grateful."

To donate, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/enigma-theatre-company.