TWO orthopaedic consultants are setting up their cleats instead of setting limbs today.

Mr Jeremy Jarratt and Mr Alun Wall from Bolton Orthopaedics are part of a team cycling the distance to Glasgow in a bid to raise more than £3,000 to help pay for an automated external defibrillator (AED) for the community.

The two consultant surgeons are based at BMI The Beaumont Hospital and Chorley New Road and over today and tomorrow the team are cycling 330km on stationary bikes at the site.

Sue Merrifield, the practice manager said: “It’s the distance from the hospital to Glasgow so they are doing quite a trek.

“All the money they are raising is going towards a life-saving defibrillator.”

Mr Wall, a hip specialist, said: "I think there's going to be two bikes and I think there will be a bit of friendly rivalry.

"I'm more of a runner and Jeremy is a cyclist. He does a lot and watches the Tour de France regularly. But I've do get out and ride around the Peak District."

Mr Jarratt and Mr Wall are taking a break from their usual days in clinics or their operating theatres to cycle as far as they can between 1pm and 2pm.

The rest of the team, made up of around half a dozen people from the hospital, will be helping to reach the target in shifts over the two days.

The cycle ride was organised in honour of the Chorley New Road hospital’s 35th anniversary, which coincides with the National Health Service’s 70th anniversary.

Mr Wall said the AEDs are great assets to communities.

He said: "If you come across someone who is collapsed switch it on and it tells you exactly what to do — where to place the pads, and electrodes.

"It's so simple a child could do it."