THOUSANDS of entrants cycled across Foulness Island for a rotary club's annual bike ride.

The Thorpe Bay Rotary Club's annual 23-mile ride across the island raised cash for a wide range of charities.

Mayor and Mayoress of Southend, Derek and Val Jarvis cut the ribbon at the beginning of the ride which took riders across the island and heritage centre.

The event also saw the MP or Rochford and Southend East, James Duddridge join the riders as he does most years.

Riders aged from just four all the way to their 80s came on the ride on any means of two or three-wheel transport they had.

Whether it was on a chopper, mountain bike, a tricycle towing a baby or even tandem bicycles, people from throughout the community were in attendance to raise money.

Steve Gale, president of the Rotary Club of Thorpe Bay, said: "It was a really excellent day and the Club was delighted that so many people came along to have fun raising money for good causes.

"Our thanks go to the Ministry of Defence and QuinetiQ Plc for permission to run the event and the residents of Foulness Island for their forbearance."