THE three children of Dr Charles Townsend-Rose, the Devizes GP who died of prostate cancer in 1997, have raised more than £5,000 for the charity their parents helped to set up.

Kate, Alistair and James Townsend-Rose cycled more than 500 miles across the Pyrenees last month to raise money for Prostate Cancer Charity.

They set out from Pamplona in northern Spain, the road leading out of Bilbao proving too dangerous for cyclists, and covered the 522 miles to Barcelona in just ten days.

Kate Townsend-Rose, 22, said: "We rested for four days during the two weeks so James could recover from a bout of tendonitis. We were worried he would have to go home by train but he took the toe guards off his pedals and found that he had no problem after that and managed to finish the course."

The three young people have been deeply moved by the generosity of local people, many of whom are their father's former patients. The doctor's daughter said: "We all want to send a big thank-you to everyone who sponsored us. I am touched that people I have never met in my life are sending in cheques for up to £100. It is wonderful."

Money is still coming in and the trio hope they will have raised more than £5,500 by the time it is collected. Money can be pledged by ringing (01672) 810427 or 07768 532986.