PEDAL power pumped thousands of pounds into a charity which has a mission to keep hearts healthy.

More than 300 cyclists were at Worcester Racecourse on Sunday for the Hearts First Bike Ride in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

Cyclists had a choice of an eight, 28 or 45-mile ride through Worcester, Droitwich and Bromsgrove.

Paul Hart, aged 27, of Kidderminster, entered the race because he wanted to show his support for his friend Lloyd Roberts, 37, of Stourport-on-Severn, who has now fully recovered after having four heart operations and a special valve fitted so he can lead a healthy, active life.

Mr Hart said: "He's fitter than me now."

Mr Roberts also plays golf and cricket for Stourport. He said he was now "as fit as a butcher's dog" and was looking forward to the 28-mile race.

The event, in its fourth year, is expected to raise £20,000 for the British Heart Foundation, which helps pay for three heart failure nurses at South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust and one cardiac liaison nurse at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

The BHF also funds life-saving equipment such as the defibrillator for the shopping area in St John's, Worcester.

Chris Connell, 43, and Angie Connell, 39, of Hylton Road, St John's, brought along four-year-old son Tom for the eight-mile race.

Mrs Connell is a heart failure nurse for the British Heart Foundation and Mr Connell is manager for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Mrs Connell said: "We work with anyone whose heart is not pumping efficiently. I support people in the home and make sure they have the appropriate medication."