CYCLING youngsters employed pedal power - and lots of it - over the weekend to help ride out illiteracy.

Their efforts paid off, when they raised £1,000 to provide youngsters in Papua New Guinea with reading material.

Children from 15 schools from across the borough took part in the first sponsored cycle ride organised by the Bury Action Group of the Bible Society.

The Mayor of Bury, Councillor John Costello, opened the event at Ramsbottom's Nuttall Park, by getting on his bike and entering into the spirit of things!

Mr John Bisson, Bury Action Group secretary, said: "The weather was perfect. Some 75 children, aged eight to 11 enjoyed the challenge of riding 45 minutes over a grass circuit. The stronger riders completed 12 laps or eight miles!"

He added: "They raised £1,000 towards the £5,000 project to provide New Reader Scriptures for children in Papua New Guinea where only 20 per cent of the children can read or write."

"Hopefully this will encourage other Action Groups to arrange similar events. Our Bible Society consultant, Mr Mike Sheppard, was delighted with this first venture and urged us to extend it to include more schools in the future.

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