30863-09CHRIS Staples has completed a mammoth bike ride from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise £5,000 for charity.

The 39-year-old from Nine Elms, Swindon, has returned home after the 17-day challenge, feeling both exhausted and elated.

He covered a total of 1,068 miles, averaging around 70 miles a day.

"It was extremely tiring," said the father-of-two.

"Many people don't realise that the halfway point is more or less the Scottish border.

"The most difficult terrain was in Devon and Cornwall where there are lots of hills it was tough going."

Mr Staples plans to split the money between two charities. The first, Hope and Homes, seeks to provide shelter for war orphans in the world's trouble spots.

The second The Philippine Trust is a charity that helps children who are forced to live on the rubbish dumps of the capital Manila.

Mr Staples, who is director of community affairs at Zurich, was joined part of the way by friends.