A team from one of the county's best-loved charities is gearing up for a 48-hour of non-stop cycling event.

Its aim is to raise money to support young people with complex disabilities and learning difficulties who attend the Ullenwood-headquartered National Star College.

The 35-strong site services department are responsible for all the maintenance and construction of the charity's Ullenwood campus, as well as its day facilities in Hereford, and residential developments in Cheltenham and Gloucester.

The team also drive the buses which transport National Star students and staff and keep the National Star grounds and StarGolf course neighbouring golf club looking its best.

From 10am on May 15 they will attempt a 48-hour continuous cycling on a static bike based near StarBistro at the Ullenwood campus.

Adam Hockaday, head of building and site services, has already made arrangements to bunk down in his office overnight so that he can cycle the 2am-5am slots.

"We have recently combined the transport team into the Building and Site Services team and we thought this would be a great team-building exercise," said Mr Hockaday.

"National Star is fortunate to work with some great contractors and suppliers and of course we will be asking them to support us for this very good cause."

Some team members will do 15-minute slots while others have volunteered to do two or three hours through the night.

The team aims to raise £1,000 for National Star. The charity was recently named Tes FE (Times education supplement further education) Specialist Provider of the Year.

Gill Henry, head of fundraising, said: "Every day of the year, through sunshine and snow the Building and Site Services team keeps our transport running and our facilities functioning.

"A 48-hour non-stop cycling event is a huge challenge and we will be cheering them on. On behalf of the young people we support, we can't thank them enough."

The team will finish their challenge on Friday May 17 at 10am. To donate to their efforts, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/siteservicescycleathon.