Deputy mayor and Slater family on hand to lead the welcome.

This was the scene in High Street, Honiton, this afternoon (Wednesday) as cyclists from the Royal Military Police brought their relay challenge to town.

Deputy mayor Councillor David Foster was outside St Paul’s Church to greet them - along with sponsors Stewart and Tracey Slater, of Sweets and Treats, whose son, Benjamin, was among the cyclists.

Part of a wider programme of challenges by members of the Close Protection Unit, the relay team is en-route to John O’Groats from Land’s End to raise money for the Central Benevolent Fund. The team members made such good progress earlier in the day, they arrived an hour earlier than expected.

Honiton Garage is supporting the effort by providing fuel for a support vehicle.

Staff Sergeant Andrew Griffin, led by an outrider, cycled up to the war memorial after pedalling 27 miles in less than two hours. As he rode in, Private Matthew Stott took over and cycled off towards Monkton Road.

Collecting for the benevolent fund outside the church were Corporal Mark Davies and Sergeant Jason McCoubrey.

All the officers mingled with members of the public and, apart from the riders, spent around an hour in the town.

More in next week’s Midweek Herald.