Mike PopeGAZETTE & HERALD: One-legged cyclist Mike Pope celebrated finishing his gruelling 1,000-mile journey to John O'Groats yesterday lunchtime with a glass of champagne.

The above knee amputee set off from Lands End on May 23 with cycling partner Diane Stuckey. But the cold and wet weather that has dogged the end part of their journey took its toll on Mrs Stuckey, who was admitted to Inverness Hospital with pneumonia.

Mr Pope, 60, from Box, lost his right leg in 1980 when he became entangled in a harrow machine.

He decided to do the end-to-end challenge to raise money for St John Ambulance and he hopes to have made more than £5,000 towards the cost of a new vehicle.

Along the journey Mr Pope has been staying at caravan sites, after Pickwick Caravans donated a vehicle. Supporters towed the caravan, together with a spare bike.

Speaking from Thurso, North Scotland, on Tuesday Mr Pope said he was pleased the end was in sight.

"It will be a quick three-hour burst to John O'Groats to finish off the last 30 miles. There will be champagne in the fridge waiting for me," he said.

Mr Pope received a warm welcome on arrival in Thurso as he handed over the Fisherman's Mission banner from Cornwall that had travelled with him.

"It has been a hard day's riding. It does not stop raining up here and there are horrendous great hills. The wind was trying to blow me back down the hills," he said.

Meanwhile, Mrs Stuckey is recovering in hospital.

"Her husband is with her at the moment and hopefully we can pick her up on the way home," said Mr Pope.