OLYMPIC athletes and the young and old pedalled into action across the county as part of the Wiltshire Big Wheel event and raise money for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA).

Organised by Bristol-based Bike Events, the WAA were supporting the event for the second year which started at The Green in Devizes and offered cyclists the chance to pedal their way along a 100, 45, or 12 mile route.

Dr Paul McCormack required the assistance of the WAA after being involved in a car accident in Kington Langley four months ago and was flown to Southmead Hospital in Bristol.

But the 60-year-old completed the 45mile route alongside his wife Nicky on Sunday.

“I thought I would never ride a bike again following my accident, said Dr McCormack, of Sutton Benger and a retired ophthalmic surgeon at Great Western Hospital, Swindon.

“I started cycling a month ago and to complete the 45 miles on Sunday was an amazing challenge.

“Wiltshire Air Ambulance is a fantastic service, they have paramedics who are highly trained in trauma.

“I’m delighted to have raised money for this invaluable service.”

Other people to take part in the bike ride included WAA charity ambassador and skeleton bobsleigh Olympian, Shelley Rudman, along with her partner, Kristan Bromley, a four-time Olympian also in skeleton bobsleigh, and their daughter Ella Rudman-Bromley.

Fellow WAA charity ambassador and champion para-cyclist, Lauren Booth, also took part in the 45mile route.

A total of six charity and operational staff from WAA also took part, riding a variety of distances, while paramedics and pilots who were on duty on also joined in by riding static bikes at the airbase in Devizes.

Anyone interested in making a donation can visit www.justgiving.com/teams/WAAWBW100