TWO women who founded a women-only cycling club have launched a sportive to raise funds for cancer charities.

The inaugural Yorkshire Lass Annual Charity Sportive will start from Carlton Lodge Activity Centre, Carlton Miniott, near Thirsk on Sunday, August 14 and includes three courses for different abilities.

Judith Worrall, who works at the centre and founded the Yorkshire Lass Cycling Club last March with her friend, Kate Horsfall, said the event would also be female-only, to encourage women who don't have a strong cycling background to participate.

Mrs Worrall, of Thirsk, said the sportive's 30-mile Piece of Cake and a Cuppa ride, 60-mile Reet Gud Ride and the 103-mile By Eck Tha War Ard Ride route would be suited to a wide array of riders and would raise funds for Breast Cancer Care, Jo’s Cervical Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Action.

She said she started cycling four years ago, aged 46, and had started by riding five miles, before progressing to lengthier routes.

She added the club, which is backed by All Terrain Cycles, had attracted 100 members in its first year, with one ride leader being 68 years old.

Mrs Worrall said: "We realised there was a gap for normal women. It makes it a whole different thing, the fact that it is ladies-only."

For details about the event click here.