SOLDIER Paul Priest will need plenty of pedal power to complete his latest mission.

The 36-year-old from Darwen, currently serving with the Queen's Dragoon Guards, in Bovington, Dorset, has been selected to ride for the Army in the Combined Services Mountain Bike Championships. The event, organised by the RAF, includes 60 of the best riders from all the services.

Paul, whose parents Barbara and David still live in Darwen, said: "I took up mountain biking in 1998 after a mate said it was fun. He forgot to mention it also hurts!"