A HAWORTH man has completed a gruelling length-of-Britain charity bike ride.

Warren Knowles cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats, in nine days.

And his 970-mile challenge raised £3,225 for the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice, Manorlands.

He was amongst a group of cyclists who took on the iconic route.

Warren cycles regularly, but hadn't previously tackled a ride on this scale and put in many months of training.

"I was really nervous initially when I travelled down south for the start of the ride – but as the day went on it turned more to excitement," he said.

"The ride is world famous and on the bucket list for many people. On the way down we met two guys from Chicago and another from New York City who had flown over for the event."

Warren had been warned that the first section of the challenge, through Cornwall with its steep hills, would be the hardest.

But he found the toughest stretch to be on day seven, between Edinburgh and Strathdon in Aberdeenshire, when he travelled through the Cairngorms National Park and Glenshee ski resort – with a 50mph headwind and torrential rain.

Towards the end of the ride the weather improved, and he was greeted with sunshine and blue skies at John O’Groats.

Warren said the camaraderie amongst the riders helped inspire you to keep going.

"The mental and physical challenge that you put yourself through is just ridiculous," he said.

"It is impossible to put into words how hard some of the days were, and how sorry I felt for myself.

"But we were all in it together, and I met some incredible awe-inspiring people in those nine days."

Warren added that he was delighted to be able to support Manorlands.

"The hospice is at the centre of the community," he said.

"It offers care, support and love to patients and their families when they need it the most.

"Living so close to the hospice, I have witnessed the help and support it has provided to so many friends, families and loved ones in our community."

Miki Mitchell, community fundraiser at Manorlands, said: "We are incredibly grateful to Warren for undertaking such a huge challenge to support our hospice. The money raised will help staff carry out their valuable work, providing expert care for those in their final days. We rely heavily on fundraising and donations from the public."