A super fit grandad - who celebrated his 70th birthday by cycling the length of the UK - has raised more than �7,000 for charity.

Robin Rush from Aylsham was the oldest among a group of 20 riders to complete the 1,100 mile journey from Land's End to John O'Groats and is now preparing to distribute his whopping total amongst various good causes.

The grandad-of-seven, who played rugby into his forties and competed in European tug of war competitions, said he wanted to challenge himself to mark becoming a septuagenarian. And he ticked off a long held ambition when he tackled the gruelling ride, which was made even more tough by severe weather conditions.

The Pound Lane resident said: 'I do a lot of sport and I just like a challenge now and again. We averaged 100 miles a day but the last two days were quite horrendous because we got the tail end of one of the American hurricanes in Scotland, so we had constant rain and gale force winds.

'Although we were advised not to continue on a couple of occasions we had to get to our next hotel. There was a support vehicle we could have taken but that defeats the object.'

Mr Rush, who recently took part in the Holt 10k run, said his fellow cyclists were 'quite surprised' when he turned up to join them on the 11-day ride.

'I think when they looked at me when I started they thought 'what's this old fella doing here?' but they got a surprise because out of the group of 20 I was always in the top half,' he added.

His grandchildren - who were 'amazed' after he finished his mammoth ride - were able to follow his progress online with a tracker he attached to his bike and Mr Rush hopes his efforts will inspire them to keep active.

'I've been a long distance runner all my life,' he added. 'They come with me training, if I go for a run they bike with me. I try and encourage them as much as I can.'

The poultry farmer, who is winding down his hours on the family farm so he can do more sport, completed the end to end challenge in August, but money is still pouring in for his efforts. The cash will go to the Norfolk Mason's 2016 festival, as part of the Freemanson's Grand Charity appeal, and be divided amongst various causes.

Mr Rush wished to thank everyone for sponsoring him and making his ride 'worthwhile' and he is now preparing for another long distance challenge next year.

'I wouldn't mind doing it the other way round John O'Groats to Land's End,' the dad-of-two added. 'If I don't do that I'll be doing something.'