PUB pals are set to cycle from Spain to Colchester to raise money for a children’s charity.

The 18-man team, led by Dave Richards, who runs The Bull, in Crouch Street, Colchester, will cycle from Bilbao back to north Essex over eight days.

It is in a bid to raise £25,000 for the Colchester Childrens Community Nursing Team.

Landlord Mr Richards, 49, said covering 850 miles in eight days will be “quite the challenge”.

He added: “To make matters worse, part of the journey is across the Pyrenees, which will be particularly taxing.

“I think we’ll be doing it at the same time as the Tour de France, so I’m sure the crowds will be out for us - or maybe not.

“We’ve chosen the childrens nursing team because they are under funded and I know the money will be useful for things like specialist equipment.”

The team, which has 14 members at the moment, is seeking sponsorship from businesses in order to help reach the £25,000 target.

They will set off on July 21, 2015 and training begins in September.

For more information or to help with sponsorship, go to cyclabull.co.uk.