CUSTOMERS at a Darwen pub raised £2,000 to sponsor two cyclists who are due to pedal to the Eiffel Tower to raise money for children with cancer.

The charity event at the Anchor Hotel featured a darts and dominoes day in aid of CLIC, Challenging Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood.

Pauline Pilkington, pub manager, was amazed when more than 200 people turned up to the event.

She said: "It was an absolutely fantastic turnout and I'm so glad that we were able to raise such a good amount for Dave and Malcolm."

The cyclists will set off from Darwen Tower to arrive in Paris 583 miles later.

Pauline said: "I'd like to thank Jack Aspinall and Linda Palmer who ran the event and everyone who participated and donated gifts for the raffles. We also couldn't have done it without our regulars, including one of them who had her hair shaved off to raise £100."

Bolton Road Conservative Club team won the darts championship with Alexandra Pub competitors coming in second. The dominoes competition was won by Plane Tree Inn team with the Anchor Hotel runners up.