THREE students from Huddersfield plan to use pedal power to raise funds for a charity.

Huddersfield Technical College student Dale Joy, whose wife Natalie recently gave birth to a baby with spina bifida, will try to cycle from Huddersfield to London in 16 hours in aid of the spina bifida charity Asbah.

He will be joined by 20-year-old Furkh Usman, who is studying for a sports degree at the university, and Greenhead College student Alan Bowers.

Their journey begins next month.

When they get to London, the cyclists plan to visit the children's wards of a number of top hospitals.

"We wanted to go and visit the children in hospital to help raise their spirits because a lot of them don't get many visitors outside friends and family," said Furkh, of Lockwood.

He is a keen cyclist and former student of Greenhead College, Huddersfield.

He hopes the ride will also help raise awareness of the spina bifida condition.

To prepare for the challenge, Furkh is cycling 100 miles a week and is on a special high-protein diet.

He added: "I was inspired to do this challenge by Alan and Natalie. We are hoping to complete the journey in 16 hours, but 24 hours is our absolute limit.

"We will be travelling along A roads, although we could probably do it quicker if we went down the motorway!"

A support driver will accompany Furkh, Alan and Dale to offer nourishment and help if needed.

The cyclists are being sponsored by a number of private companies.