A FORMER high school head teacher took to his bike and raised over £2,000 for charity from a sponsored cycle ride the length of the country.

Peter Donnelly, 60, of Long Buildings, Sawley, near Clitheroe, raised the cash after cycling 1,070 miles from Land's End to John o' Groats.

The former head teacher of St John Fisher and Thomas More RC High School, Colne, who retired last September, raised the cash for CAFOD: Catholic Fund for Overseas Development and the St Vincent de Paul Society, a countrywide charity that helps disadvantaged children.

The member of St Michael and St John's RC Church in Clitheroe is not an experienced cyclist and practised for just three weeks before setting off on the solo mammoth trek.

He said: "There were certainly tough times, especially when it was raining and windy, but I took in some wonderful views and felt at one with nature."

Peter Donnelly, who is a non-insulin-dependent diabetic, was given a cycle as a Christmas present two years ago and said he was looking forward to pursuing his new interest around the leafy lanes of Ribble Valley.

"People even sponsored me en-route and a cycle shop in Taunton run by a former Clitheroe Royal Grammar School pupil gave me a replacement cable for free.

"The trek was well worth it and hopefully people are going to benefit from it. I would like to thank everyone who sponsored me and fellow church members," said.

In his spare time, he is also a First Responder for Sawley and the surrounding villages, and a fishing enthusiast.