A WELL-KNOWN former snooker player turned commentator joined the Army - for a sponsored cycle.

Willie Thorne, known as Mr Maximum for a claimed 190 maximum breaks of 147 in the sport, joined soldiers from 2 Signal Regiment as they set about cycling 5,098 miles without ever leaving York.

The team climbed on to exercise bikes in the foyer of York's Barbican on Saturday to start the challenge, which will see them each cycle an average of 100 miles a day for five days, while the public pass them to watch the UK Snooker Championship.

Willie said: "I haven't been on a bike for a long time. I cycled 150 yards from my hotel and I was shattered, never mind 5,098 miles.

"I'm full of admiration for these guys and I realise they have another three or 4,000 miles to go, but I have a sweat on just watching them."

The distance was chosen by the fundraisers to represent the distance between York Barbican and Chengdu in China, where the International Championships were held earlier this year.

Willie joined the cyclists for a little while before he left to commentate on a match, but Corporal Daniel Custus said the group were grateful for his support.

He said: "It was great to see the legend of snooker come and support us and do a couple of kilometres with us."

Cpl Custus said the group set out with an aim to raise about £500 by the time they finished their challenge on Wednesday, but hoped to raise even more.

All funds raised from the sponsored cycle event will go towards the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Soldiers' Charity - formerly the Army Benevolent Fund.