PEDAL power was the order of the day as more than 300 cyclists took part in the 17th annual Castles Bike Ride in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support yesterday.

About 360 riders, including families, tackled one of the 10, 20 or 30-mile organised routes, which started and ended at Croft Sports Centre, off Marlborough Lane, and took in the off-road trails in the countryside surrounding Swindon.

The participants do not have to submit their sponsorship forms until later in the summer, but organisers hope to have beaten the total from last year, which brought in more than £4,500.

Gillian Thornton, the chairman of the Swindon Macmillan Cancer Support committee, said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic. The weather has been great. We’ve had 360 riders, it’s been absolutely marvellous.

“We’ve had quite a number of families who have done the routes as well and everyone seems to have enjoyed it, and we’ve had a great day, so it looks very good for our funds, which is so fantastic.

“We have had one or two people come off bikes but nothing too drastic. That was inevitable.

“But it’s been very good indeed, it’s been excellent. And we’re very grateful to all the people who supported us.”

The routes, all clearly marked and marshaled with light refreshments provided along the route, followed the Ridgeway along ancient byways, tracks and bridleways in a scenic loop of the Marlborough Downs.

Volunteers served jelly beans, bananas and cakes at the refreshment stalls.

All proceeds from the event will be used to support people affected by cancer, including the 10 people every week that are diagnosed with cancer in Wiltshire.

Gillian said: “I gather the 20-mile ride was well used. And certainly I was on refreshments at Rockley for the 30-mile and we had over 230 people come through.”

The event was sponsored by Mitchell’s Cycles, in Shrivenham Road, which donated a mountain bike for the rider with the most sponsorship and a shield for the first complete team home. The other supporters were the tropical fruit firm, Fyffes, which donated the bananas, SEQOL and Arkell’s.