VOLUNTEERS got on their bikes at an East Cornwall supermarket and rode off with more than £500 for charity.

Shoppers and staff at Callington Tesco rode the equivalent of 250 miles on an exercise bike as part of a two-day nation-wide Race to the Pole challenge to raise money for Diabetes UK.

Volunteers, including pupils from Delaware Community Primary School and Callington Community College, took turns on a cycle loaned by All Being Well, a Pensilva charity gym that helps people with health problems.

Lynn Nash, Delaware School's executive head teacher, said: 'We are always delighted at Delaware School to support such a worthy cause — and the children had fun too!'

Joe Bicarregui, a trustee of All Being Well, said: 'It was an honour for us to take part in this fantastic event again. The event itself was great fun. We really enjoyed meeting and chatting with the volunteer cyclists and the Tesco staff, who could not have been kinder.'

Diabetes UK, the country's leading diabetes charity and Tesco's charity of the year for 2013/14, helps people with diabetes, campaigns to improve the quality of care and funds research into all types of diabetes.

Tesco store manager Martin Hawkins said: 'We are over the moon at exceeding our target and, thanks to the generosity of our customers, we raised £505 for Diabetes UK.

'We would also like to thank All Being Well for lending us the bike for this fabulous result.'