TWO cyclists from Cornwall are pedalling through Teignbridge as part of a 400-mile regional charity ride for the Freedom from Torture group.

Former publisher Carolyn Burch and accountant Richard Raggett are expected to arrive in Ashburton and Newton Abbot for the weekend before heading off to the finish line at Exeter - via Teignmouth, Dawlish and Starcross - on Tuesday.

The intrepid pair said: ‘We’ve always enjoyed cycling, but in a leisurely way. The only long-distance we’ve done is along the Danish west coast, so the Devon and Cornwall geography is more challenging.’

They started off on April 27 and aim to reach Exeter on May 13-14.

They’ll return home for one day and then tackle the Cornwall section, finishing on May 21 at a Freedom From Torture fundraising Open Garden Day at Tremenheere Sculpture Garden near Marazion.

The couple, who hope to raise £8,000 by their exertions, are both Quakers - and have included visits to fellow members’ groups at all their ports of call.

Carolyn said: ‘We have done holiday hosting through Freedom from Torture for several years, and we know from these personal encounters that Freedom from Torture does tremendous work, bringing hope, health and the chance to rebuild their lives, to individual refugees and asylum seekers who have undergone torture in their own countries.’

She added: ‘We’ve been privileged to live and work in a peaceful surroundings for years, and when our Freedom from Torture guests come to stay for just one week of tranquillity and relaxation away from London, it makes us re-appreciate how lucky we are to be within reach of sea and green scenes in Devon and Cormwall.’