A member of Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team who was seriously injured in a biking accident and had to be rescued by the team and other emergency services is raising funds for the people who saved his life.

Derek Tunstall was mountain biking on Ullock Pike ridge, near Bassenthwaite, when he had an accident 18 months ago.

"I don't actually know what happened, I can't remember anything. I was on my own, it was wet and slippy and last thing I recall is looking down to see if the path was rideable.

"The next thing I remember is getting up from lying on top of the bike, wondering what happened!" said Derek, of Arlecdon.

He later discovered, in Newcastle's RVI, that he had broken some ribs and burst his lung. The Great North Air Ambulance had to fly low to prevent any more pressure being put on his lungs.

Derek had called for help after attempting to walk back to his car. "I had a bit of pain in my side and walked over a mile with the bike but it was getting harder and harder. I bumped into a chap who was a great help but told me I didn't look good, that's when I called 999," said Derek.

The helicopter was there within 20 minutes, shortly followed by mountain rescue teams from Cockermouth and Keswick.

"They were all brilliant, they knew exactly what to do," said Derek, 63, a fitter at Sellafield."

He has made a donation to both rescue teams and is now keen to raise funds for the air ambulance.

"They saved my life. They got me to hospital in 20 minutes where someone had to put a drain in my lungs. I spent four days there," said Derek.

He will taking part in a six-day mountain bike ride from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay, setting off on July 4.

He will be riding 210 miles in total with his oldest son Lee, from Bigrigg, and work colleague Julie Rutherford, from Winder, Frizington.