Organisers hope a popular charity cycling event reaches the £250,000 mark in its 18th and final year.

On Sunday, up to 600 cyclists took part in the St Edmunds Wheel Bike Ride, which gives riders the choice of 15, 30, 50 75 and 100-mile routes from the Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds.

So far the event has raised £232,000 for local charities and good causes, and Ian Turner, one of the organisers, hopes Sunday’s event has pushed them over the £250,000 mark.

He said the day itself, which also involves a duck race and live music, was “absolutely fabulous” but the event was a major undertaking to organise.

He added: “There’s a lot more cycling events on now in Suffolk and competition for us.”

Mr Turner said the idea for the St Edmunds Wheel was formed when he, Brian Hurrell, and Steve Laycock were sat in a pub and discussed how Bury should have such a bike ride.

The first ride attracted 100 cyclists and the event just “grew and grew every year, really,” Mr Turner said.

He said Sunday had gone “very well,” adding the weather conditions were “absolutely perfect”.