TWO employees of defence technology firm tackled the length of the British Isles by bike for charity.

QinetiQ workers Simon Bray of St Peter's, Worcester, and Dave Taylor of Malvern Wells cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats in aid of Acorns Children's Hospice and Cancer Research UK.

The pair, aged 38 and 37 respectively, started the arduous journey on Monday, June 9 and reached their goal on Wednesday, June 18, experiencing everything from top temperatures to strong headwinds along the way.

Mr Bray says he isn't a keen cyclist and suffers from a bad knee but they travelled an average of 90 miles a day, covering 108 miles in their longest single effort.

"We wanted a bit of a challenge and we wanted to do something big for charity. Throughout it you take it one day at a time and break each day down into little segments.

"For the first 50 miles we found them okay but the last 30 or 40 you really felt it."

Mr Bray added he felt "relief" upon reaching the end because it had been "tough going" but he was proud of their achievement.

Together they have raised more than £2,100 so far, with QinetiQ match funding £250 towards Cancer Research UK and members of the public making donations along the route.

For more information and to make a donation, go to Simon and Dave's Virgin Money Giving site at http://tinyurl.com/pkvu2dp.