A GRUELLING mountain bike challenge took place in Huddersfield at the weekend, attracting bikers from all over the country.

The Colne Valley Mountain Bike Challenge has been an annual event for the past four years, and has continued to grow in popularity with over 340 people taking part in this year’s challenge.

The route used to be 26 miles long, but this year organisers upped their game and increased it to 30, trekking through the heart of the Last of the Summer Wine and Where the Heart Is country.

Riders travelled from Scotland, Preston, Grimsby and Birmingham to take part in the challenge on Sunday, which started from Parkwood Methodist Chapel at 9am.

It is organised by 41-year-old Jonathan Brook, who lives in Golcar.

He said: “It’s been a roaring success, and we have had a record turnout this year. At the beginning of the week we had around 130 entrants so it was fantastic to see almost 350 bikers turn up and challenge themselves to their absolute limit. We all had a great day.’’

The money that was raised will be split between the 39th Parkwood Scout Group and Leymoor Cricket Club in Golcar.