SHIPSTON law firm employees were among 30 cyclists cheered home from a gruelling 50-mile charity bicycle ride by Vicar of Dibley star, Gary Waldhorn.

Gary plays Dibley Parish Council chairman, David Horton, in the comedy television series and is patron of the Malawi Dream charity, which the sponsored ride was in aid of.

He was at Cirencester’s Royal Agricultural College to greet the employees from the Shipston, Moreton, Stratford and Birmingham offices of law firm, Needham and James, who had ridden from Stratford.

The cyclists, who included lawyers and their families, raised £4,000 with which the charity will fund the secondary education of ten orphans living in Malawi.

Malawi Dream founder, Sonia Waters, was also at Cirencester to greet the cyclists who received free refreshments from The Howard Arms at Ilmington, Churchill Arms at Paxford and Washbourne Court Hotel at Lower Slaughter along the route.

Organiser Rob Bryan, a partner in Needham and James’ employment law team, said: “It was the most wonderful day and we were touched by the support of businesses along the way, which provided our intrepid riders with some much-needed refreshment.

“It was an extremely strenuous event and I was delighted that so many of my colleagues took on the challenge.

“I’m glad our small efforts will help ten individuals gain an education which will be of immense value to them and I hope we can continue to raise substantial amounts for such immensely worthy causes.”