WRITER and broadcaster Libby Purves will kick start this year's Suffolk Historic Churches Trust annual sponsored bike ride.The trust raises money for repair and maintenance of churches and chapels across the county.

WRITER and broadcaster Libby Purves will kick start this year's Suffolk Historic Churches Trust annual sponsored bike ride.

The trust raises money for repair and maintenance of churches and chapels across the county.

The veteran presenter of Radio 4's Midweek programme, who lives in east Suffolk, said: “As a family we've taken part in the ride, and I can't think of a pleasanter way to raise money to help maintain Suffolk's architectural heritage, of which the county's churches and chapels are a vital part.

“I've written about the bike ride in the past and I'm delighted to help the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust in its remarkable work.”

This year's ride will be held on Saturday, September 8, and it is hoped it will attract thousands of cyclists.

It will be the trust's 26th ride since it was launched in 1982. In its first year £58,100 was raised, and this amount continued to rise until last year's record-breaking event where £172,852 was collected.

A spokeswoman for the trust said: “Suffolk's churches, many of them with features heading back to Norman times, are a precious asset.

“Where scaffolding is seen on church towers, or work is being carried out on roofs and walls, then almost certainly trust-raised money is involved.”