An Oxenhope man who hadn’t got on a motorbike for more than three decades has ridden across India to raise money for charity.

Keith Yates’ epic 2,200km journey through the south of the country coined-in more than £10,000 for Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice Manorlands.

And each of the eight-strong group he was part of also raised £2,500 for Adventure Ashram, a charity which promotes health and education among India’s poorest children.

Mr Yates, who was riding a loaned 1970 Royal Enfield bike, and his colleagues completed the gruelling route within a fortnight.

“It was the experience of a lifetime,” he said. “Some people thought I was stupid to attempt it, and for the first day or so I believed they were probably right, as I tried to get used to the bike.

“I had no concept of what the roads would be like, and they were hazardous. But we saw a side of India that people don’t normally get to see. It was incredible and the people were wonderful.

“We stayed in villages in the middle of nowhere, met children who were delighted just to receive a pen and played cricket at one place.

“People were amazed to see a group of eight motorcyclists riding through their countryside.”

Mr Yates, 57, who runs a floor covering distribution business, had to take motorcycle lessons and the test in preparation for the challenge.

“I hadn’t ridden a motorbike since I was about 20 and then only scooters,” he said.

“I have two colleagues, one a keen motorcyclist and the other an adventurer, and they talked me into it.

“I paid for lessons and bought a bike to practise on, but the machine I used for the challenge was provided.

“Friends of mine have been in Manorlands and the staff do such fantastic work there. I wanted to do something for them.

“I never expected to raise anything like the amount I did. I was totally taken aback by people’s and companies’ generosity and I thank them so much.”