Riders from near and far rose to the challenge to take part in this first ever mountain bike event.

A total of 286 riders -- mainly from East Lancashire but as far as Wales and Hampshire -- took part in the challenge held on the Mary Towneley Loop.

The Loop, a 47 mile course which includes a 6,300ft descent, is a section of a bridleway in and around the Rossendale area.

It will eventually make up a 350 mile route stretching from the High Peak Trial in Derbyshire to Byreness in Northumberland, scheduled to open in 2008.

First to complete the challenge, which was organised by Rossendale Harriers, was Darwen's Matthew Halstead who finished in five hours eight minutes. Andy Westwell from Barrowford was second in 5.10 with Mark Firth in third place in 5.18.

Leon Pay from Rawtenstall was fourth in 5.24 with Jim Winterburn in fifth place in 5.32

Peter Home was sixth in 5.39 ahead of Mark Soloman (5.45), Paul Holman (5.45) and Chris Tomlinson of Rossendale who was ninth in 5.47. Russell Owen completed the top 10 in 5.49.

The last pair to complete the course finished in 11.21.

Event organiser Graham Wright said: "The challenge was very well received and now we are hoping to make it annual event. There were some very good riders and I was surprised the finished under six hours. On the other hand there were riders just out to enjoy themselves. That was what it was all about."

The challenge helped raise £2,800 for Rossendale Hospital's Local Hospital Pain Appeal.