Seven soldiers were this morning expected to complete a marathon cycle – on exercise bikes in the window of Bradford’s Army recruitment office.

They were cycling the equivalent of the distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats, in aid of the injured soldiers’ charity Help For Heroes.

The challenge, which continued through the night at the careers office in Westgate, was the brainchild of Sergeant Kev Gaskell, of The Royal Dragoon Guards.

He said: “ We don’t get time to do physical training, but the main thing is highlighting the profile of the office and to make people aware we are here and still recruiting.

“It is also an opportunity for the soldiers to get fit.

“If we went to Afghanistan and got injured the charity would benefit us. As it stands, it benefits our colleagues.”

Speaking yesterday afternoon he said: “We are a little bit fatigued but not going to let it stand in our way.”

The challenge, to complete the distance in 24 hours, began at 8am yesterday.

The soldiers were cycling, two at a time, for an hour, with a break for two hours before getting back in the saddle.

Anyone who wants more information about the charity, or to donate, can visit helpforheroes.org.uk.