Isle of Man Bank's annual cycling event, Tour des Branches, raised ?6,000 to be split between three charities.

The event, where colleagues and invited guests cycle to raise large sums of money for charity, took place in May and all the money raised has now been collected and distributed.

A total of 75 cyclists took part this year, equalling the highest ever number. When the event was launched in 2008, just five took part.

Isle of Man Bank Managing Director Bill Shimmins, who was among the cyclists, said: ‘As a community bank we are very proud of the work that we do to support local charities and organisations. On behalf of the bank, I would like to thank everyone who organised and took part in a great event, raising money for such a worthy cause.’

As well as the regular routes of a ‘taster’ 77 miles and the ‘classic’ 102-mile route, this year, to mark the banks 150th anniversary a 150-mile route was added.

The ?6,000 raised will be split evenly between Manx Cancer Help, Hospice Isle of Man and The Children’s Centre.

The name of the event derives from the Tour de France and the idea was to pay tribute to the stage-winning successes of Manx star Mark Cavendish.

Photo - Team effort: Pictured, left to right, Alan Gelling (Isle of Man Bank,) Lisa Motley of The Children’s Centre, Janice Wood (Isle of Man Bank), Sarah Radcliffe of Hospice Isle of Man, Deniese Smith (Isle of Man Bank), Ally Martin of Manx Cancer Help and Ian Perry (Isle of Man Bank).