MORE than 600 riders got into gear on Sunday, to ensure Haslemere Festival’s ‘Little Lumpy’ charity bike rides “were the best ever”.

Haslemere’s new mayor Malcolm Carter and town crier Christian Ashdown got the popular “cycling sportive” under way at Woolmer Hill.

Riders had the choice of four routes, ranging from the modest Taster to the gruelling 100-mile Epic.

Organiser Ken Griffiths said: “Now in its ninth year, Little Lumpy was back by popular demand. This year’s event was our best ever.

“All routes were over the South Downs, with stunning local countryside and the provision of home cooked food along the way. It was only made possible due to the the 50 plus volunteers that we had with us on the day.

“Little Lumpy is a not-for-profit event and our partner charity was the Macmillan Midhurst Palliative Care Service.”