WORCESTER folk shrugged off the grey Sunday gloom yesterday to get outdoors and raise money for good causes.

More than 250 intrepid cyclists took to the county's winding lanes and cyclepaths for St Richard's Hospice's annual bikeathon.

Those taking part could choose from three different routes to cycle, each starting and finishing at the hospice on Wildwood Drive, Worcester. The routes ranged from a 15 mile trip to Kempsey to a challenging 40-mile ride out towards Ashton-under-Hill.

"It's been a brilliant success," said a delighted Alison Weston, community fundraiser and event organiser for St Richard's Hospice. "Last year we raised £7,000, and with 60 per cent more participants this round we're hoping we might even hit the £10,000 mark."

Meanwhile, a park near Pershore was going barking mad in a bid to raise some much-needed cash for a canine charity.

The 18th-centiry Croombe Park played host to a Dogathon', with scores of visitors bringing along their four-legged friends to tackle a choice of challenging trails in aid of The Dog's Trust.

Dog owners were asked to follow a series of clues along walks ranging from one to three miles, with hand-baked doggy biscuits the mouth-watering prize for those successfully completing the courses.

Micro-chipping services were also available from The Dog's Trust, for owners wanting to keep a close track of their pets, while a local artist was also on hand offering personal pooch portraits in aid of the charity.