A RECORD number of riders showed up to this year's Tour de Furness. 

The event which has been going for 20 years is organised by the Rotary Club of Furness and this year 630 people signed up to do it. 

Each year it has grown in size and altogether it has raised more than £450,000 for 35 local charities over the past two decades. 

It now also boasts four different routes, which include a five mile ride, a 12 mile ride, a 23 mile ride and the 50 mile ride. 

Most people this year tackled the 50 mile ride. 

The president of Furness Rotary, Roy Worthington said: "We always have a good reaction from the local comunity, the support is just fantastic."

The Tour de Furness was originally set by Bill Bartlett - a former member of the rotary. 

He sadly died shortly after the first one was held. 

Mr Worthington said: "It started with a handful of riders back then raising just over £200, last year we raised £51,000 for charity, that's how much it has grown. 

"St Mary's Hospice is our main benefactor and that's because Bill spent his last days in there being cared for - it's a charity that is important to us." 

One of the riders that took part in yesterday's event was Derek Coyle, 52, from Ulverston. 

He is part of the Barrow lifeboat crew and did the 23 mile ride in memory of his mother who had recently died. 

He said: "It was the first time for me to be involved in the Tour de Furness. 

"I only got into cycling a couple of months ago and now I love it. I will take on the 50 mile ride next year. 

"I have raised around £640 for St Mary's Hospice - it's a charity that's close to my heart."