A CYCLIST who rode from Darwen Tower to the Eiffel Tower had a double celebration up his sleeve.

He helped raise £11,000 for children with cancer - then proposed to his girlfriend under the Paris landmark.

Dave Worden who celebrated his 40th birthday on April 21, admitted: "I had planned it all. I bought the ring in Darwen four weeks ago and wanted to propose under the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

"I'm not very romantic but I thought she'd prefer the French version to Darwen Tower."

Dave made the charity ride to Paris with Malcolm Brown and the pair ended their six-day journey in style with champagne among friends and family under the tower. That's when Dave sprung his surprise for Lesley Wilkinson, 42, with a diamond-solitaire ring.

Lesley had followed Dave's journey and flown out to Paris alongside Malcolm's wife, Sam, to meet the fundraisers.

Lesley, who works for the schools meal service based at Mount Pleasant, Accrington, said: "I had no idea it was going to happen. Dave played his cards very close to his chest. He didn't get down on one knee because I don't think he could've got back up again after the trip!

"We had a glass of champagne then he invited me over to look at the Eiffel Tower. Then he told me he loved me and proposed. I cried and said 'yes' immediately."

The couple, who have been together for two-and-a-half years, returned to their home at The Meadows, Darwen, after a relaxing weekend in the French capital.

Dave said: "We haven't set a wedding date yet but I'm thrilled she said yes."

The cyclists stunned organisers for Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood (CLIC) by going £1,000 over their target. Malcolm, 42, of Key View, said: "It was hard going and we both suffered a few punctures and a couple of tumbles but nothing serious. We stopped at Tamworth, Oxford, Dartford and London, then went through to Dover and across to Calais on the ferry."

The pair stopped at Poix-de-Picardie before continuing straight to Paris on the last leg of the journey.

CLIC, formed by a group of doctors and parents in south-west England 25 years ago, offers support nationally for the 2,000 children diagnosed with cancer each year.

Andy Jarrett, legacy and community support manager for the charity, said: "It's a tremendous result and I'm amazed they've managed to raise so much.

"Dave and Mal are so motivated and well-organised so it's no surprise that they managed to complete the challenge they set themselves. They have been out in the community collecting money themselves and we'd like to thank all the people who helped them reach their target."

Although it's back to work now for Dave and Mal, the pair have not ruled out a similar venture next year. Dave said: "It's a bit early to say because we're just recouperating at the moment but we might look at doing a different route to raise money for charity."

They will present the £11,000 cheque to CLIC representatives at Blackburn Golf Club, Revidge, at 7pm next Friday.