CROWDS of treasure hunters tore through the county South Oxfordshire to raise money for charity.

Eyes peeled and cycle gear on, Competitors took part in the bike ride treasure hunt on Sunday to raise funds for charity Missing People.

One competitor taking part was Laura Waite, of Banbury. She said “It is a great day out while raising money for charity.”

Riders were given a choice of two routes through the south of the county, either 11 or 26 miles long starting off from The George pub in Littlemore and picking up clues along the way.

The route took searchers through villages including Benson, Garsington and Sandford-on-Thames.

Missing People services manager and event organiser Helen Alves said: “It was a great day, a bit chilly but good. We had about 50 people take part which was about 20 teams, so a good enough turnout.

“They had 20 questions with observational clues and had to make it back to The George pub where the treasure was locked up with a padlock which needed a four-digit code.

“The first four teams that came in got a few questions wrong and so the fifth team, whoo weren’t necessarily the fastest, pipped them to the post to win.

“We do not have a total amount raised yet but it is around £500 which is great. It is the first time we have done it and lots of people have said they hope we will do it again. It was really good fun.”

All money raised at the event will go towards helping the charity continue its work to support those who have left home in difficult circumstances or the families of missing people.