A FORMER physical training instructor has raised more than double his target with a gruelling 1,000-mile bike ride.

Brian Pyle had hoped to generate around £1,500 to be split between the Royal British Legion, Help For Heroes and the neo-natal unit at the University Hospital of North Durham.

But the 64-year-old’s ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats actually succeeded in raising just over £4,000.

The voyage took the 12 days from May 6 to May 17 and covered 972.22 miles, which he did after a total of 91 hours and 11 minutes in the saddle, including the 102 miles from Chepstow to Shrewsbury in a single day.

Fortunately for Brian, the bike also remained strong with the worst mechanical mishap being a problematic chain. Somewhat miraculously he suffered no punctures en route.

Brian, from Newton Hall in Durham, praised his sponsors, as well as his friends, family and the 17 other cyclists who accompanied him from start to finish.