A NINE-year-old girl was happy to be out of the saddle this week after a 61-mile bike ride from Manchester to Blackpool to raise money for charity.

Jenny Capstick from Glencoe Avenue in Hoddlesden raised £200 for Christie's Hospital in Manchester.

She said: "It's the first time I've ever done anything like that. It was really hard work but I'm glad I did it."

The seven-hour journey was a far cry from horse riding and swimming which she usually enjoys.

Dad Paul Taylor, 34, said: "She loves cycling and all sports and I'm so proud of her. I wouldn't have entered her into the race if I thought she couldn't do it."

Jenny was one of the youngest participants to take part in the Manchester to Blackpool Bike Ride, where entrants raised more than £100,000 for a wide variety of charities.

A spokesperson for Christie's said: "We would like to thank Jenny for what she did. It's fantastic that someone so young can do such a great thing for us."