More than 140 cyclists set out on the first leg of the Cycle2Canne charity ride this morning

Over 140 cyclists left Greenwich this morning on the third Cycle2Cannes charity ride.

The riders are raising money for five charities as they cycle up to 1500 miles to the MIPIM property event in the South of France.

The first leg of the ride will finish on the Kent coast this evening, and riders will cross the channel by ferry before resuming from Calais tomorrow morning.

As well as the physical challenge of the first day, the riders will also have to contend with a ferry strike. This is resulting in lorries queuing back along the M20 in a police action called Operation Stake.

Weather conditions on the first leg were mild and dry, but the forecast for France is for snow once the peleton arrives in Dijon.

Cycle2Cannes hopes to raise up to £500,000 for charity. For more details go to cycle2cannes.org