TV crews are set to follow a group of teen cyclists today as they make their way through Kent from the continent in aid of charity.

The BBC Rickshaw Challenge is one of the major fundraisers for Children in Need and has raised more than £21 million since it first took place in 2011.

This year's week long event starts today and is led by presenter Matt Baker.

Scroll down for the route map through Kent

Riders travel from Calais to the BBC's studios in Salford, near Manchester, and will pedal 31 miles through Folkestone Eurotunnel's service tunnel.

The team will then travel through villages such as Etchinghill, East Brabourne and Brook, eventually arriving in Ashford in time for the One Show tonight.

In the coming days, it will then make its way across to east Sussex through Bethersden, Biddenden, Sissinghurst, Lamberhurst and south of Tunbridge Wells.

It will stop in Ashford tonight after the live TV link-up with Baker's co-presenter Alex Jones.

Ahead of this year’s challenge Matt Baker said: "Every year the support we get never ceases to amaze me.

"It’s fantastic to see how people from all across the UK get behind the challenge.

"I’m looking forward to seeing all those friendly faces willing us on again this year, and helping us to raise so much money for a charity which is incredibly close to my heart."

This year, a new rickshaw has been built by a team of engineers at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking.

The riders are due to arrive at the Ashford town centre Bandstand between 7pm and 7.30pm.

Residents are invited to head into town for the chance to appear on live TV.

Pudsey Bear will be in Ashford town centre from around 6pm.

We'll be sharing live updates throughout the day on KentOnline.

Details

To support the Rickshaw Challenge, you can donate £5, £10 or £20 by text.

To donate £5 text the word TEAM to 70405. To donate £10 text TEAM to 70410. To donate £20 text the word TEAM to 70420.

Texts will cost your donation plus your standard network message charge. All of your donation will go to BBC Children in Need.