THE toughest cycling challenge to be taken on by a charitable county councillor will see him tackle 230 miles non-stop in just more than one day.

Trimdon and Thornley Cllr Peter Brookes will set off next week on the mammoth ride from the County Durham border to Belleek, in Northern Ireland - the most western point of the UK.

He and five fellow cycling enthusiasts will attempt to complete the ambitious venture non-stop within 27 hours, excluding the ferry crossing.

It is the eighth annual epic task to have been taken on by the Durham County Councillor who will be raising funds for the authority chairman, Cllr John Lethbridge’s, chosen charity which this year is the Royal British Legion.

Cllr Brookes, of Trimdon Village, said: “We’ve done slightly longer before, 266 miles to London a few years ago, but this is double the elevation - double the amount of hills to climb with 9.500 feet of elevation.

"It’s probably the hardest challenge we’ve done but I’m really looking forward to it.

"We’ve got a good team and want to raise as much money as possible for this great cause.”

The dedicated 63-year-old has in previous years cycled to London in 24 hours for the North East Autism Society (NEAS), to Wales and back from County Durham in less than a day and last year from Arnside, in Cumbria, to Seaton Carew - just two months after heart surgery.

To tie in with the chosen charity, for which Cllr Brookes hopes to raise £1,500, this year’s challenge will also mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Cllr Brookes will be joined by three fellow members of Trimdon Cycling Club plus a current and ex-employee of Durham County Council.

On Thursday, June 14, the riders will set off from Killhope, at the County Durham border, at 7.45am.

From there they will cycle 130 miles to Stranraer, getting there in time for the two-and-a-quarter hour ferry at 11.30pm. Once on Northern Irish soil, the team will cover the remaining 100 miles to Belleek, on the border with the Republic of Ireland, where they hope to land at 10am.

Staff from the NEAS will provide back-up support in England while Fleet Finance, of Belfast, will be on hand in Northern Ireland.