TWO gutsy ex-Mayors of Dudley braved the rain to take part in a challenging tandem cycle ride to raise money for a little girl fighting cancer.

Councillors Steve Waltho and Melvyn Mottram managed to complete 100 laps of the track - equivalent to 25 miles - at Halesowen Athletics & Cycling Club yesterday (Sunday April 15), despite the downpours.

The dynamic duo, who are both members of Gentleman Songsters Male Voice Choir, donned colourful tutus and flowers to brighten up the grey and wet day as they undertook the charity challenge in aid of two-year-old Sedgley youngster Isla Austin, who has a rare form of cancer and has been receiving advanced treatment in the USA and is being supported by the charity Solving Kids Cancer.

Isla is the grand-daughter of the choir's chairman Pete Hawthorne and Cllr Waltho, who is no stranger to charity challenges, said of his latest fundraising stunt: "It was hard work. Neither me or Melvyn are cyclists as such. I thought it was a bit of a tall order when he suggested it.

"A third of the way through the rain started to come down but we got round and it took us about two hours - and a nice little crowd came out to support us."

Cllr Waltho, the borough’s Mayor in 2015/16, and Cllr Mottram, Dudley’s Mayor in 2012/13, had originally hoped to raise around £500 but Cllr Waltho said the final total could be up to £1,000.

Anyone wishing to boost their fundraising total can send cheques payable to 'Solving Kids Cancer' with 'Isla Austin Appeal' on the back to Cllr Steve Waltho or Melvyn Mottram at Dudley Council House, Priory Road, DY1 1HF.