FIVE Worcestershire grandads have completed a 300-mile gruelling bike ride from Worcester to Newcastle to raise funds for Acorn's Children's Hospice.

The five returned from the north-east on Monday after successfully making it to the Worcester Warriors match against Newcastle Falcons on Sunday.

The team, called Grandads for Acorns, set off from Sixways on New Year's Day, hoping to raise £10,000 for the charity, which provides care and support for life-limited children and their families.

Riders - John Phillips, Martin Johnson, Frank Lloyd, Steve Gotting and Graham Beech - cycled on average for about 50 miles every day through some of Britain's toughest landscapes.

Mr Phillips said: "Going through Derbyshire was the worst. It was very hilly indeed."

And, despite a few hiccups on day one, including one rider ending up in a canal and the theft of their satellite navigation system, the grandads made it to their destination.

"It was a fantastic trip," Mr Phillips added.

"It was certainly eventful but very worthwhile. I'm not sure how much we have raised so far but I'm confident we will have reached our target."

The cyclists were paraded on the pitch at half-time and Mr Phillips said the club was extremely accommodating in encouraging people to support their cause.

To find out more about the team's journey log on to their blog at www.granddadsforacorns.co.uk