A PUB landlord cycled 430 miles in five days to raise £2,000 for cancer research.

Chris Brown, 53, owner of the Manor House Inn, near Shotley Bridge, cycled from Aberdeen to home as part of Cancer Research UK's Man Alive campaign, which focuses on cancers that affect men - particularly testicular and prostate cancer.

Mr Brown said: "I feel very passionately about highlighting cancers that affect men and the need to be more up front about taking action if something is wrong."

According to the latest figures, each year in the North-East about 1,300 men are diagnosed with lung cancer and about 1,200 are diagnosed with prostate cancer.

A poll revealed that 43 per cent of men questioned in the region would put off going to the doctor if they noticed blood in their stools. The survey showed that 38 per cent of men said their partners had either persuaded them to make a doctor's appointment or had made one on their behalf, against their wishes.

Mr Brown said: "Cycling from Aberdeen to Shotley Bridge seemed like a good way to raise money and keep fit at the same time. I'm already planning next year's event and I'm aiming to go even further."

Cancer Research community fundraiser Suzanne McKenna says: "We are very grateful for all the hard work and effort he put into raising so much money."