DORSET and Somerset Air Ambulance Service will be taking part in the Coast to Coast Cycle challenge for the first time this May.

The team, who call themselves, the 'Coastbusters' started training for the event this month at their Henstridge airbase and are being supported by Thorn Cycles in Bridgwater.

Tracy Bartram, communications manager for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Service said: “The fact that our crew are taking up this challenge is simply amazing.

"They are an inspirational group of individuals but as a team they are exceptional.

"Teamwork is something that they are brilliant at day to day whilst out treating the very poorly patients they are called to so I have no doubt that they will excel at this task too.

"We really hope that the public will get behind them and show them their support by pledging a donation, no matter the size.”

The 'Coastbusters' will be cycling a 54 mile route from Watchet harbour to West Bay on triplet and tandem bikes and will be part of a group of 600 cyclists taking part in the race.

Tracy added: "Education isn’t something that these guys find difficult; they are constantly studying for clinical exams, but understanding the workings and mechanics of operating a triplet is something new to them all.

"Robin Thorn, director of Thorn Cycles kindly spent time with the crew to explain how triplets are built to be strong and safe.

"The safety of all three riders ultimately rests with the‘pilot’ at the front, a similarity that they face every day whilst on the air ambulance.

" After a few trial runs, there was simply no stopping the 'Coastbusters' team."

Coast to Coast said they will be keeping everyone up to date on the progress of the team via their website and social media channels using the hashtags #COASTBUSTERS and #dsaac2c.

Members of the public will once again be able to cheer everyone on at the starting point of Watchet Harbour, one of the pit stops along the route and at the finishing line celebrations at West Bay.

The air ambulance service says they hope the public will get behind them and donate to their JustGiving page with just three months to go until the race.

For more information or to donate to the service visit justgiving.com/dsaa-coastbusters or text CREW54 £5 to 70070.