BUS drivers will be getting on their bikes next week to raise money for Helen & Douglas House hospice.

Staff at Stagecoach Oxfordshire will aim to cycle a combined 874 miles - the length of the UK - on a static bike in depots across the county.

Depots in Cowley, Gloucester Green, Witney and Banbury will all receive a bicycle and staff will be pedalling throughout the working day to help the team hit their target.

It coincides with the final week of cycling's Tour de France.

Business development manager for Stagecoach Oxfordshire, Karen Coventry, said: "Our staff won't need to travel to France to see a display of great cycling next week, they can cheer on their colleagues instead.

"We are really pleased to hold this challenge to raise money and awareness for Helen & Douglas House as part of our continued support for them.

"The team is very excited by this challenge and we are welcoming a bit of healthy competition between the depots."

The employee who clocks up the most miles will win £50 worth of Amazon vouchers and there will be donation goblets and a raffle draw.

The hospice's community fundraiser, Lucy Walker, said: "We rely almost entirely on voluntary donations to run the hospice service.

"The support of companies such as Stagecoach in Oxfordshire is invaluable to us."