Charity bike ride goes ahead for councillor Paul James

Image source, Plaid Cymru

Image caption, Councillor Paul James had been preparing for a charity bike ride when he died

Friends of a councillor who was killed while out training for a charity cycle ride have set off to "complete what he started".

Paul James, 61, was hit on the A487 between Waun Fawr and Bow Street near Aberystwyth in April.

His ride would have raised funds for two hospitals which had recently treated him for a heart condition.

After discussions with his family, Mr James's friends decided to continue with the 140-mile (225km) challenge.

Image caption, And they're off - 11 riders taking part in Paul's ride left Aberystwyth on Saturday

The 11 riders, who were all asked personally by Mr James to take part, left Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth on Saturday morning heading for Morriston Hospital in Swansea, before returning on Sunday.

Mr James, who was Ceredigion county councillor for Llanbadarn Fawr Sulien, had raised a few hundred pounds for the two hospitals when he died.

The total has now topped 拢13,000.

Image source, Alexanders Estate Agency

Image caption, Rhian Elizabeth Daniell at Alexanders Estate Agency, one of the local businesses which helped with the collection

The funds will go towards new equipment at wards in both hospitals.

Mike Blair, one of the riders, said: "The family were keen for the ride to carry on, and we were keen to complete something that Paul had started.

"He'll always be in our thoughts throughout the ride.

"He filled a room when he walked in with his personality, and when you hear that he was doing something like this, it becomes infectious.

"We wanted to help him and be part of it with him."