Malmesbury charity Jole Rider received a windfall of £6,000 after hundreds of tweed clad cyclists rode through London in aid of their Bikes 4 Africa appeal.

The annual Tweed Run, is a very British sponsored bike ride which saw 500 cyclists donning tweed jackets, plus fours and flat caps and riding vintage bicycles through the capital.

All the funds raised went to Jole Rider’s Bikes 4 Africa charity which refurbishes bikes, donated by members of the public, and ships them to The Gambia for schoolchildren who otherwise face hours of walking to school.

Tony Oliver has been working with Jole Rider through a scheme which allows Vodafone staff to spend two months with a charity.

Mr Oliver said: “The organisers of the Tweed Run chose to support Jole Rider but no one else from the charity was able to go along. So I picked up the baton and was able to take part.”

Mr Oliver described the ride, which started from Chelsea College of Art on the bank of the Thames, as like stepping back in time.

“We pulled up next to penny-farthings, tandems and vintage racers, some of which were over 100 years old,” he said.

“As the tweed flag was waved, signaling the start of the ride, the mass pedalled towards Buckingham Palace via the House of Parliament and Big Ben.

“The Tweed Marshals rode on ahead halting traffic and even London’s notoriously ill-tempered motorists were surprisingly hospitable.”

A special edition Pashley Clubman bicycle was auctioned and raised £2,649 for Jole Rider.