Retired bank manager Peter Lambert has cycled 2,009 miles from Calais to Rome for charity despite having both his hips and knees replaced two years ago.

Mr Lambert, 69, was joined by friends David Bourne from Chippenham, who suffers from diabetes and prostrate cancer, and Richard Brunning from Swindon, who had a heart triple bypass two years ago,

The trio spent 30 days on the road through France, Switzerland and Italy.

They arrived back safely last Tuesday, having raised over £3,000 for the British Heart Foundation.

Mr Lambert decided to cycle as a way of coping after his wife died.

The friends cycled for about four hours each day, staying in hotels along the way, and Mr Lambert reckons they drunk about 137.5 litres of wine and beer over the period.

He said: "It was amazing we never had a hangover. It was very enjoyable and anyone who is reasonably fit could have made the trip. Age is no barrier.'

The men were also fortunate to escape injury when Mr Bourne was knocked of his bike by a passing lorry.