THREE Scottish teenagers have started an epic cycle ride from Edinburgh to London in aid of The Cure Parkinson's Trust.

The trio are taking part in the "Pedalling Palace to Palace" event to raise money for the charity's research into the debilitating condition.

They left from Holyrood Palace and will make their way to Buckingham Palace in London to arrive next Sunday, July 5.

One of the three, Thomasina Bowyer-Bower, said she was inspired by watching her father's ongoing battle with the disease.

She said: "The route from Edinburgh to dad is a journey I have done many times before but always by train.

"It is this route that connects me with my Dad and I decided it is now my turn to try and make a difference."

Ms Bowyer-Bower will cycle with her classmate from Edinburgh's Fettes College, Anna Egerton-King, and Jemma Stewart, who attends Strathallan in Perth.

The girls, who are all 16, planned their route and trained in between studying for their GCSE exams and have already raised £1,365.67 of their £3,325.04 target.

Tom Isaacs, president and co-founder of The Cure Parkinson's Trust said: "I wish Thomasina, Anna and Jemma the best of luck with their cycling challenge.

"We are very grateful for their support as funding is urgently needed to invest in research to help pave the way to a cure."

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative, neurological condition which affects more than 127,000 people in the UK and one person in every 300 worldwide.

It is characterised by the presence of tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement and balance problems. One person in twenty diagnosed with Parkinson's disease is under the age of 40.

To sponsor the girls go to www.justgiving.com/palacetopalaceforparkinsons/.