IT may not be common knowledge, but three members of a Worcester law firm finished ahead of Polish cycling star Michal Kwiatkowski on the fourth stage of the Tour of Britain.

But if the crowds lining the finish at Bristol failed to spot Stefania Fulford, Mark Pittaway and Bernie Mackie, there was a simple explanation. Because the trio never left the offices of Thursfields in The Tything, Worcester.

The keen trio of cyclists celebrated a stage of the Tour starting in Worcester, by setting up three turbo trainers outside Thursfields and cycling the stage distance to raise money for charity.

However, it must be said they cheated a bit, because they took the more direct route down the M5, a 63 miles dash completed in two hours 45 minutes, while the professional riders went up hill and down dale across country and raced the official 115 stage distance in four hours 19 minutes.

"I have to say that racing on a turbo trainer is an awful lot more of a challenge than racing on the road," said Miss Fulford, "even allowing for the hills. We were lucky to have the sun shine on us, although we missed the breeze you usually enjoy when out cycling on the road."

Their exhaustive effort raised £370 for Acorns Children's Hospice through sponsorship and home made cakes enjoyed by sympathetic spectators.