CYCLISTS saddled up for a 80-mile round trip to Southport to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Bury Tandem Club for the Visually Impaired.

And the man who launched the organisation in 1984 was presented with a commemorative souvenir by colleagues to mark the silver jubilee.

Bury Mayor, Councillor Sheila Magnall, presented Mr Derek Pritchard with a Braille certificate to honour the club’s anniversary.

Seven tandems, each with a front, sighted rider, accompanied by a rear blind or partially-sighted cyclist, took part in the annual outing to Southport which was begun several years ago in memory of club member, Peter Jackson. The event is sponsored to raise funds for the organisation.

The mayor officially started the ride from Tottington and the riders arrived in Southport two and a half hours later before returning home the same day.

Bury Tandem Club for the Visually Impaired has 38 members and has outings every Sunday. The club is anxious to recruit more front-seated sighted riders as well as rear blind or partially-sighted cyclists.

Committee member, Mr Alan Robinson said: “We really depend on a bank of front volunteer riders who would be out one or two weekends in five.”

Anyone wishing to join the club can contact Mr Robinson on 01204 840 860, Mr Pritchard on 0161 764 1239 or log on to the website at bury-tandem -club.org.uk