MORE than 190 cyclists took part in memory of a former British Olympian.

Sharon Laws from Bourton, was a former pupil of The Cotswold School and a British professional cyclist who died aged 43 from cervical cancer.

The Sharon Laws Sportive took place on Saturday July 7 with

Ms Laws only turned professional at the age of 33, and British Cycling asked her to join the team for the Beijing Olympics that took place in the summer of 2008.

In late 2016, she became ill with cervical cancer and died in December 2017.

The event took place at The Cotswold School on Saturday July 7, with three-cycle routes around the Cotswolds of varying lengths, a family route of 14.3 miles, the 43-mile Sharon Laws tribute route, and a more challenging route of 76-miles.

The money raised will go towards Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and The Cotswold School new sports and events pavilion.

The date chosen was to celebrate Ms Laws' date of birth and the 43-mile tribute route, to mark one mile for every year of her life and this route attracted the largest number of participants on the day.

Joy Laws, Sharon’s Mother, unveiled a plaque in a fitting tribute to her daughter at 10 am and then opened the shorter family route at 10.30 am.

She said: "This disease can be eradicated. If we can fundraise for further research and increase the vaccination programme, we can eradicate cervical cancer.”

Will Morgan, principal said: “It was an early start, but a busy and happy event on a glorious summer’s day.

"In a fitting tribute, Joy spoke about her daughter’s achievements and unveiled the plaque. We were both honoured and delighted to have her there and for her support to us in the lead up to the event. We can announce that an amazing £5,000 has been raised to date.

"Thank you to all the riders, volunteers and to the community.

"It was awe-inspiring to note the number of riders who came along and some aged only 13 completing the 43-mile route. It was a fitting tribute, and we will be holding the event again, which is planned for Saturday 6th July 2019."