Businesses from across Gloucestershire are already signing up to take part in the county's first charity street velodrome challenge.

Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity is staging the event on the Promenade in the town on Friday, July 12, to raise money for the CT Scanner Appeal.

Among those who have pledged its support and entered a team is Midwinters Solicitors, in Crescent Place.

It is joining headline sponsor Brewin Dolphin and firms including Creed Foodservice, Abbey Business and Spirax Sarco which have all signed up.

The pursuit racing challenge is open to teams of four to challenge for the best time around the track on the day.

The money from the event will go towards the £1.2m appeal to buy new CT scanners and mobile digital X-ray machines for Cheltenham General and Gloucestershire Royal hospitals.

Gareth Gregory, partner at Midwinters, is taking part alongside fellow keen cyclists Mark Holland, Chris Vevers and Francis Russell.

"I know people in my family who have needed scans, I had a CT scan myself for an issue and the fact is the scanners are very heavily used and this appeal will be able to help provide easier access to this great resource which is all round a good thing," said Mr Gregory.

"It is a bit of fun but inevitably people will be comparing times on the day and there will be some healthy competition."

Entry is now open for the challenge and you can either pay the full entry free or pay a deposit and pledge to raise sponsorship for the appeal.

Only 16 teams can take part and places are already going fast. Entry closes on June 30.

The event is backed by Gloucestershire Paralympian wheelchair racer Mel Nicholls who will also be taking part.

Q: What is street velodrome?

A: It is a pop-up velodrome featuring the dramatic banked corners of a real track. For more information, visit streetvelodrome.co.uk

Q: What will happen on the day?

A: Corporate teams of four will compete against the clock in an exciting challenge to win the title of Velodrome Champions. The day will consist of practice heats in the morning, followed by lunch and then the knock-out heats in the afternoon.

Q: Do we need to bring our own bikes?

A: No - bikes will be provided.

Q: How good at cycling do we need to be?

A: You need to be able to ride a bike reasonably well, but it is open to all levels.

Q: How do we enter?

It costs £950 for a team of four for the day including lunch or you can pay a deposit of £250 with a pledge to raise £750 in sponsorship.

Email Karen Organ at karen.organ@nhs.net  for an application pack.