A team of bar staff have successfully raised enough money for charity to secure a place to compete in a Spartan chariot cycling race.

The Warren Wood pub on Epping New Road, Buckhurst Hill, are one of eight branches out of the114 Stonegate Pub Company pubs across the Southern region to win a place.

Thanks to the generous support of from residents, the team has raised over £1,100 and counting for Cancer Research UK, surpassing the £1,000 target.

Colin Hawkins, operations director for Stonegate Pub Company’s Southern region, who initiated the fundraising idea, said: “The team has done a fantastic job in raising so much money, it is an incredible achievement, I am delighted that they have won a space in our exciting chariot race.

“We’ve all been touched by cancer in some way in our lives, so we wanted to do our bit as a division to raise money to help stamp out this awful disease.

“The pub teams and their customers are all behind this and together we intend to raise a big chunk for the cause. Let the race begin.”

Manager Daisy Harper will represent The Warren Wood pub in the five-mile race around east and central London on Thursday, June 20.

Participants will be in full Spartan dress, with the eight teams each beginning the circuit in staggered starts, with their 60-90 minute endeavour ending back at the starting point.

A fundraising barbecue event was held on Saturday, June 1, in an attempt to boost their cash for charity.

The two fastest groups will then go head-to-head in a final race to decide the overall winner, before the prize giving takes place at the Minories pub, London.

The Stonegate Spartan Chariot Race for Cancer Research will commence on Tuesday, June 20, at 12pm at The Minories in London.

To make a donation, visit The Warren Wood pub or go online at: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/spartan-giving-page-1098.