THE Emirates Old Trafford was the starting point for a charity cycle ride that raised more than £200,000 - and featured cricket legend Darren Gough among the participants.

The 300 mile challenge took in the five Ashes grounds that hosted the 2005 Ashes series, 10 years on from England's famous 2-1 series win old rivals Australia.

Cash raised will go to the Lord’s Taverners, helping to put at least five of the charity’s accessible minibuses on the road for special educational needs schools across the UK, and a further £100,000 for local charities, including North West Cancer Research.

Darren said: “It’s been an absolutely great experience. For someone who hasn’t really been on a bike since he was a teenager, cycling over 300 miles in four days was a challenge and a half, but I’ve had a terrific time and hopefully we’ll reach our target to get five more Lord’s Taverners minibuses on the road for kids with disabilities.”

Eleven cyclists rom Manchester - including three from the Manchester office of Investec Wealth & Investment - also got on their bikes for a good cause.

Other sports stars to take up the cycling challenge included Tottenham footballer Matthew Etherington.