A BIKE ride has become so popular that the village milestone marking its finish point has had to be moved.

Last year's Wrong Way Round bike ride attracted 120 participants and raised more than £1,000 for charities in Yatton Keynell.

The challenge is to cycle 97 miles from Hyde Park Corner in London back to Yatton Keynell, a distance made well-known by a milestone in the village.

David Else, one of the organisers, said: “Cycling from the village to London would leave us far away so we decided to go ‘the wrong way’, which is how it got its name."

This year, which is the event's seventh, organisers said the growing crowds of riders and spectators at the finish meant the village hall would be a better location than the main road, so craftspeople have been busy recreating the milestone.

It has been crafted by woodworker Vernon Hughes and painted with Hyde Park Corner 97 by artist Sam Perry.

Mr Else said: “It follows a tradition in the village of rebuilding history. About five years ago, villagers built a new market cross, the first to be built in England for 500 years.”

An alternative 19-mile circuit for families with children is on country lanes around Yatton Keynell, with the option to do any number of laps.

The route goes through Kington St Michael, Stanton St Quintin and Hullavington, up near to Sherston and back through Grittleton to Yatton Keynell's hall where there will be tea and cakes, a bar, hot food, music, a bike repair service and children's activities.

Mr Else said: “The main aim of the event is to get everyone together. Too many villages these days are commuter belt with neighbours not knowing each other.

"We’ve had keen fitness types doing the ride at a good pace, and families with kids that tootle round very gently - old and young, fast and slow."

PC Les Fletcher, community beat manager for Chippenham Rural, will be taking part on his police bike. Also confirmed are vicar Jonathan Philpott and the head of school governors at By Brook Valley, Ian Bannister.

Riders can set off on Sunday between 6am and 2pm, depending on the number of laps they choose to do. Entry costs £10 for adults and £5 for under 18s and forms are available from www.yattonkeynell.com/wrong-way-round.

Profits go to Yatton Keynell's pre-school and youth club, St Margaret’s Church remodelling fund and Friends of By Brook Valley School.