PEDAL power has come to the fore to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

The occasion was the annual Petersfield Ups and Downs charity cycle ride, which this year is expected to have raised around £10,000 for good causes.

Sunday's renewal, which is believed to have raised some £4,000 for the cycle ride's nominated charities Naomi House, Hampshire Air Ambulance and The Rosemary Foundation, saw hundreds of riders descend onto Petersfield town centre.

Some 570 riders of all ages saddled up in The Square, with youngsters taking on a five-mile route with their families and more experienced riders heading out into the South Downs National Park toward East Meon and West Meon, taking in the challenge of Butser Hill, Finchdean and Buriton along the way.

For full story and pictures, see this week's Petersfield Herald.