THREE delivery drivers swapped horse power for pedal power and completed a 260-mile ride across Wales in aid of St David's Foundation Hospice Care, raising around £15,000.

Emmanuel Blaevoet, Jas-on John and Ian Hawksford, who all work out of Tesco's depots at Magor or Chepstow, were also joined by Chepstow store manager Colin Harris, and Chris and Alison Van Buren, from Tintern, who read about the ride on the internet.

Together they set off from Holyhead and rode south to Newport, arriving at the city's Velodrome tired but happy.

Emmanuel said the scenery was breathtaking - but the hills literally took their breath away. Everyone except a very determined Jason had to walk up some of the steeper inclines of Snowdonia and the Brecons.

He said: "I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it was hard work. We finished one set of mountains and then we saw the second set looming in front of us."

"We had great weather apart from three or four hours of spitting rain which was very welcome - it was just enough to cool us off.

"I have done a similar ride before and it really is very tough, but St David's is worth it.

"Each year it looks after 2,000 people with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, in Newport, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, and we wanted to ensure they can continue their fantastic work."