PEDAL power has helped keep the wheels turning for a millennium green project.

Betty and Robert Horrox, of Turton Road, Tottington, completed a 30-mile bike ride for the Affetside Millennium Green Trust, which has built a village green on a former bus turning circle.

"The campaign to raise funds for the £40,000 project had been flagging recently," said Mr Tony Rogers, trust secretary.

"We've already raised £35,000 in grants and donations but this last £5,000 has been driving us mad."

Betty (60) and Robert (63) regard the Pack Horse as their local and wanted to help out with the fund-raising, so they volunteered to do a bike trek. "I nearly fell off my chair because they don't even live in the village, but they took up the challenge and raised the money," said Mr Rogers.

The couple collected £767 in sponsorship and villagers were inspired by their gruelling slog, which has helped to keep the project on track by sparking new fund-raising ideas.

Betty, a former teacher, was keen to see the educational potential of the site fulfilled.

Wildlife in a pond by the green can be studied from a special dipping platform and extensions will be made to an outdoor classroom for school parties.

Plans are also afoot to erect a brass telescope and viewing platform to allow children to train their eyes on the stars and surrounding geographical features.

Opportunities for history lessons are ample with a Roman cross by Watling Street, a former Roman road.

Betty said: "It's been a monumental effort from the villagers and they needed a bit of extra help."

"I thought about making lots of jam but my husband said don't be crazy, let's do a bike ride!"

Having already ridden 25 miles in the past, the couple set the target five miles higher this time.

The bike trek took in a five-mile circuit between Affetside and Holcombe Brook, repeated six times.

"It was quite hard. It's hilly round here, that's the difficult bit, it's not like riding in Cheshire. You go up hills all the time," said Betty.

Although the couple are not hardened cyclists they now plan to ride more in the future.