STUDENTS and staff at Anglia Ruskin University got in the saddle to celebrate bike week and the imminent arrival of the Tour de France in Essex.

The Chelmsford Velofest saw Staff and students help pedal 470km – the distance from Chelmsford to Paris - on static bikes outside the Lord Ashcroft building in Chelmsford.

Then on Sunday a team representing Anglia Ruskin took part in the Essex Countryside Bike Ride, in aid of Little Havens Children’s Hospice which started from the Chelmsford campus.

Sports Development Officer Lynne Pestle said: “We at Anglia Ruskin are really excited about the Tour de France coming to Essex and it was great to get into the spirit early by putting on Chelmsford Velofest during bike week.

“Cycling the equivalent of Chelmsford to Paris over five and a half hours was hard work, but no pain, no gain and the Essex Countryside Bike Ride was a terrific event for a great cause. We were delighted a number of our students and staff represented Anglia Ruskin and supported it to raise money for Little Havens Hospice.”