THREE cyclists have set off for Belarus on an epic 1,500 mile bike ride to raise money for the children of Chernobyl.

Brian Davies, aged 55, John Smith, 63, Eddie Adams, 56, and their van driver John Diggles left Salesbury Church in Blackburn, bound for one of the poorest countries in Eastern Europe.

The three will cycle from Mogilev through Minsk and Warsaw, collecting a fourth cyclist, Dave Richards, 43, in Berlin, then back to Blackburn.

They are raising money for Friends of Chernobyl's Children, the national charity founded in Blackburn following the nuclear reactor plant disaster in Chernobyl in April 1986.

A fire in the power station caused a reactor to go into meltdown and explode, spilling radioactive chemicals into the atmosphere, since blamed for an 800 per cent increase in some forms of cancer in children.

The charity's headquarters are in Blackburn. Brian Davies, 55, its chairman is a former Lands End to John O Groats cyclist. The Belarus ride was his idea.

He said: "This was something which came into my head and it won't go away until the job is done. We are excited but a little daunted."

The experienced cyclists will stay at hostels and with friends over the month-long expedition, expecting to return to Blackburn on May 12.

Eddie Adams, of Great Harwood, has recently cycled the Orkneys. Dave Richards, of Blackburn, cycled for Lancashire in competitions and John Smith, of Westham, Preston, has clocked up the "most miles" on various expeditions.

The charity works with the people of Belarus, exposed to radiation 300 times greater than Hiroshima, to welcome children for month-long holidays with British families.

Olwyn Keogh, charity director, said: "The visits are their chance to detox with clean food and fresh air. They also have the chance to start vitamin courses and we have organised several surgical operations."

The cycle ride hopes to raise £5,000 which would pay for 10 children to stay in Clitheroe for a month.

Anyone wishing to sponsor the cyclists or donate money can contact 01200 428383 and the trip can be tracked on the website www.focc.org.uk