A KEEN cyclist from Durham has flown out to Cuba for a week-long ride across the island.

Geoff Young, 49, of Newton Hall, in the city, is taking part in a 270-mile expedition organised by the National Deaf Children's Society to raise funds for its work.

"We start off in Havana and finish off in Trinidad, a place in Cuba, not the island,'' he said. "We'll be staying in guest houses and budget hotels.

"I did a similar thing a few years ago with the National Children's Home, cycling in the mountains and deserts of Jordan.

"I'm looking forward it. I use cycling as a means of keeping fit and since November I have gone out and trained on the bike at every opportunity.

"The awful wind and the rain and snow have never stopped me.

"All training I have done, the temperature has been round about zero, but it will be 28 to 32 in Cuba.''

Mr Young, an international trade advisor for Business Link County Durham, will be one of about 40 cyclists taking part in the adventure.

During the trip the cyclists will be visiting a school for deaf children and Mr Young is taking toys to give to the pupils.

Mr Young had to raise £2,000 to go on the trip. He received a donation of £250 from Business Link County Durham.

Other fundraising efforts included a windscreen wash at Sainsbury's which brought in £125.