TWO brothers from a village near Devizes have completed a mammoth bike ride to raise money for Cancer Research UK in memory of their grandparents who both died of the disease.

Mark and Jamie White from Easterton faced the ultimate endurance test when they cycled 2,000 miles with support facing tough terrain and battling extreme weather along the way.

But the pair were determined to complete the challenge, having initially vowed to their grandmother, Diana, to ride 1,000 miles in memory of their grandfather Michael.

However the intrepid pair decided to double the length of the ride after Diana also passed away after losing her own battle to cancer.

The brothers set off for their ride in Aguilar De Campoo in Spain, having travelled there by ferry from Portsmouth to Santander in Spain and taking a train to their start line.

Their route took them through Madrid, Malaga, Valencia, Barcelona over the Pyrenees into France then up to St Malo before returning back to English soil by ferry into Southampton.

The last leg of their epic ride saw them arrive in the village hall in Market Lavington some four weeks later where they were greeted home by a surprise welcome party.

Mark said: “Nothing would stop us, even during the low point in the Pyrenees mountains when we endured a day of heavy rain, thunderstorms and high winds that forced us to peddle downhill and only cover 36 miles in 14 hours.

“The training has been really difficult but it’s so motivating to know that the money we raised will be helping Cancer Research UK to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”

Mark and Jamie have raised £5,366 for life-saving research to help more men, women and children in Wiltshire and across the UK survive the disease.

They said they would like to thank their employers Nutristrength and Gaiger Brothers who gave them time off work and supported them throughout the challenge; Brittany Ferries who donated their travel; Flybe; Ibis hotels in Getafe and everyone who supported them enroute.

Nick Johnson, Cancer Research UK’s local fundraising manager for Wiltshire, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Mark and Jamie decided to attempt such a great challenge to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.

“Cancer Research UK has made enormous progress in the fight against cancer. However, we have only been able to do this thanks to the dedication and commitment of our volunteers and supporters without whom we would not be able to fund our research.”