Two RAF officers notched up over 100 miles on a cycle ride to raise money for a Great Yarmouth church.The huge effort by Squadron Leader Steve Willis and Flying Officer John Harrison saw them arrive at St Nicholas Church on Saturday.

Two RAF officers notched up over 100 miles on a cycle ride to raise money for a Great Yarmouth church.

The huge effort by Squadron Leader Steve Willis and Flying Officer John Harrison saw them arrive at St Nicholas Church on Saturday.

Although there is more money to collect, the pair have already raised �500 of their �750 target, which will go towards repairing the historic organ of the 12th century church.

The idea came from Sdn Ldr Willis, whose father-in-law Colin Smith is involved in the St Nicholas Church Preservation Trust fundraising group.

The pair, who have served in the RAF for 19 years, set out in the early morning for the 108-mile route from their base at RAF Wyton, in Cambridgeshire, to the east coast town via Ely, Norwich and Acle.

After six hours of cycling and a couple of short coffee breaks they were greeted at the doors of the church by the town's mayor Tony Smith and a guard of honour from the town's 221 air cadet squadron.

Sdn Ldr Willis said: “The weather was good so that helped. We did it quicker than we thought we would - before we knew it we were in Norwich.”

He added: “I enjoyed training and doing the ride with my cycling buddy, John. He maintained great enthusiasm throughout both training and the ride. Although he's very fit he has never cycled beyond 56 miles, so with just seven weeks' notice and minimal training I have to congratulate him on completing the distance with a smile on his face.”

To find out more about St Nicholas Preservation Trust visit www.sncpt.co.uk