A GROUP of friends are taking on a charity cycle with a twist as they embark on a 220-mile journey.

Yvonne Spence, 46 and Geoff Smith, 58, from Penketh are joining 61-year-old Paul Cousans from Sheffield to cycle coast to coast.

Yvonne will be taking part in a 60-mile stretch between Southport and Didsbury while Geoff and Paul will cycle the entire 220 miles along the Trans Pennine Trail, a route which goes from Southport to Hornsea via the infamous Woodhead Pass.

The Trans Pennine Trail is a challenging bike ride where more than 70 per cent of the route is off-road, however, Geoff and Paul intend to make the ride even more challenging as Geoff will be dressed as a bee, complete with wings and Paul will take on the guise of a giant daffodil which is the Marie Curie symbol.

Geoff had the bees he created out of cardboard displayed in his garden in Penketh and Marie Curie representatives have asked if they can be used as part of a national display.

It is hoped that the sight of a giant bee and a yellow flower along the trail will bring a few smiles and hopefully a few more donations.

The trip is expected to take five days with neither Paul nor Geoff being experienced cyclists but they are determined to raise as much as they can for Marie Curie.

Marie Curie have long been admired for their fantastic work providing care and support for people living with terminal illness, and their families, indeed last year they cared for more than 40,000 people across the UK.

The charity is extremely close to Geoff and Paul's collective heart and they are determined to generate as many donations as is humanly possible by a bee and a daffodil.

You can donate by visiting justgiving.com/fundraising/beeline4hornsea.