HORIZONTAL rain and winds of up to 60mph failed to prevent two cyclists completing an epic ride for charity.

Mark Matthew and Terry Lane took 14 days to ride more than 1,000 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats.

But the trip of a lifetime, to raise thousands of pounds for three charities, was far from easy.

Thirteen miles from Plymouth, Mr Matthews' bike broke and he had to buy a new one and post the other home.

And during the five days they were in Scotland, the pair were battered by rain and gale force winds.

Once they reached journey's end they were not allowed to put their bikes on the train to come home and instead had to post them back.

"But it was a great trip," said Mr Matthews, 41, of Middlesbrough, a programme manager at McNay Street Sure Start Centre, in Darlington.

"We met some fabulous people along the way who were very supportive of what we were trying to do."

The pair have so far collected £2,500 in sponsorship.

Mr Matthews will donate his proceeds to a women's refuge in Darlington.

Mr Lane, 50, raised the cash for the Pain Relief Centre at Darlington Memorial Hospital and Stockton's Butterwick Children's Hospice.