An 84-year-old who never learned to ride a bike has raised £2,280 for Help for Heroes by completing a 30-hour static bicycle ride.

Former RAF Corporal Eric Ayling completed the 220-mile marathon at the Springfield Community Campus in Corsham.

So far the event on July 1 has raised £2,280 for Help for Heroes, and Mr Ayling is planning to tackle an even longer cycle on November 25.

Mr Ayling, of Poyndon Road, Corsham, said: “The joke is, I can’t ride a normal bike as I never learnt as I was brought up in an orphanage and they didn’t have stuff like bikes.

“I spent six hours a day, for five hours a day, cycling at the Springfield Campus.

“I was accompanied by people who were riding the bikes next to me for 30 minutes at a time. I feel very strongly there isn’t enough done for people when they leave the services.”

The general public, gym goers, the military and the staff at the Springfield Campus took turns at pedalling next to the octogenarian.

Afterwards, he said: “I’m feeling fine and the support I’ve had is great. The people have been really supportive, especially Anna and Sam who work on the reception.

“I feel very strongly that there isn’t enough done for people when they leave the services.

“This is my way of raising money for Help for Heroes. I started helping them four years ago and plan a 60-hour static cycle ride in November.”

Salisbury-based Help for Heroes helps to provide better facilities for British servicemen and women who have been wounded or injured in the line of duty.

Born in 1936, Mr Ayling left school in London and joined the RAF, serving for ten years in Cyprus and Germany, while also representing the service as a boxer in the featherweight division.

On civvy street he had a career as a PE teacher before moving to Corsham from Tidworth after his wife Katherine died from cancer four years ago.

He said he hoped his cycle ride would inspire others of his own age to take up fitness training to stay healthy.