SOLDIERS from Abingdon are in the saddle in a bid to cycle 1,200 miles in just 36 hours – without leaving the town.

A dozen members of 12 Logistic Support Regiment, from Dalton Barracksare riding exercise bikes in the foyer of the town’s Tesco supermarket.

They started at 9am yesterday and will finish at 9pm tonight.

The money raised will go to three service charities, the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, the Army Benevolent Fund and the Black Rat Fund, 4 Mechanised Brigade’s own charity.

Last night Captain Ritchie Horsman said: “Everything is going brilliantly, although we’re already getting a few aches.”

  • A village dubbed the “most loyal in Oxfordshire” will stand together in silence tomorrow in tribute to those killed in combat. In Bampton, near Carterton, at least 14 families have sons or daughters in uniform.

Members of the Parachute Regiment will pay their respects, including Lance Corporal David Radband, 24, who grew up in the village and is preparing for his third tour of duty in Afghanistan. He was Mentioned in Dispatches this year for bravery on an earlier tour.

His father, Steve Radband, from Fox Close, said: “The village always comes together, and tomorrow will be no exception. I think it’s extremely important that people pay their respects to every man and woman who sacrificed their lives.”

  • Oxford City Football Club will hold a Poppy Appeal collection at its home game against Hemel Hempstead Town today. Kick-off is at 3pm.