MORE than 100 police officers, including chief constable Frank Whiteley, joined a sponsored pedal in Welwyn Garden City on Wednesday, raising money for families of colleagues killed on duty.

In six sessions, 114 officers rode stationary spinning bikes for half an hour each,with sponsorship going to COPS (Care of Police Survivors).

Chief Constable Frank Whiteley said: “My 30 minutes in the saddle seemed considerably longer, but I was delighted to join in and to see such a large group of colleagues supporting this event.

"I’d like to extend my congratulations to everyone who took part and thank everyone who contributed so generously to the fundraising total.”

Police Constable Jacqueline Barber, whose fiancé PC Kevin Church died in a motorcycle collision when on duty in Redbourn in 2005, said: "COPS has been a great source of support to me in that it is run by people who, having been affected by similar tragedies, fully understand what it takes to rebuild lives after such a trauma.

"Everyone at COPS is very grateful to Hertfordshire Constabulary for their support through this spinathon event.”