Hundreds of cyclists descended on the Isle of Sheppey this morning for the start of the annual Chase The Sun Cycle The Longest Day bike ride.

They gathered on the seafront at The Leas, Minster, at dawn to begin the 205-mile trip to Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset on the other side of the country to mark the longest day of the year, which is on Monday.

Riders left at sunrise at 4.41am in groups of no more than 30 at one of the most easterly parts of Britain and aim to finish before sunset in the west at 9.33pm this evening. The ride will take in Richmond Park in south London and the Cheddar Gorge.

Organiser Simon Steggles stressed: "It's a ride, not a race. It's a collective. We're all in it together. Nobody cares who's the fastest."

Because of Covid regulations he had to give his pre-event briefing via video.

Organisers took over the Abbey Hotel in The Broadway, Minister, from 3pm on Friday. Most accommodation on the Island was sold out.

Those who had pre-booked rooms at the Premier Inn, Sittingbourne, for Friday night had to find alternative accommodation at the last minute when the venue was forced to cancel bookings after a lightning strike knocked out all its power.

Some found alternatives in Medway. Others ended up camping on Minster beach.

The event was first launched by Ollie Moore and three friends in 2008 and has happened every year since, except for last year which had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

This year's ride attracted a record 945 entries. There are also sister rides happening across Scotland and Italy.

Mr Steggles said: "This will be the greatest day you will ever spend on a bike."

Among those taking part is Mike Bonsor who is raising money for five charities: Bowel Cancer UK; Macmillan Cancer Support; MS Society; Stroke Association; Dementia UK and Cardiac Risk in the Young.

He said: "Over the years, our family has had help from a variety of charities so this, in a small way, maybe turning the support the other way.

"I am recovering from bowel cancer after surgery and chemo last year. The furthest I have ridden since then was an 80-mile ride so this is a step up. Two hundred and five miles in a day is a long way for an oldish man to ride on a bike.

"I am not sure how well it is going to go but these charities all need support as their fund-raising has suffered because of Covid."

Riders pay either £28 or £99 to take part.

To sponsor Mike Bonsor click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Sheppey