Two brothers have completed their John O’ Groats to Lands End cycle in aid of the Stroke Association.

Michael and David Hitchcock took on the challenge after their brother Steve, of Moormead, Budleigh Salterton, suffered an unexplained stroke.

The brothers, who grew up with Steve in Exmouth, had some previous cycling experience, but this was their greatest challenge yet.

David said: “The cycle basically went to plan. At the start of the ride, Michael had a broken spoke three days in a row, but then a bike shop in Glasgow got him a new wheel.

“When you go to a bike shop doing John O’Groats to Land’s End, they just drop everything to help you.”

The brothers had a boost at Okehampton, when Steve brought his family out to cheer them on.

“We met them two days from the end, and Steve’s girls had banners on the side of the road saying ‘Go, Uncle Tig’ and ‘Go, Uncle Mike’.

“Steve wanted to come to the end with us, but he wasn’t quite well enough to do that. I think he was pretty proud of what we’d done.”

The brothers finally rolled into Land’s End 12 days and 904 miles after setting off.

“We came over the brow of this hill and saw Land’s End, and the feeling was amazing – a massive sense of satisfaction swelling up inside.

“We slowed down and rolled across the finish line together.”

So far the brothers have raised �4,300, and more money is still being collected.