A family's 156-mile charity bike ride has raised more than double its target for a north Norfolk hospital.

Eastern Daily Press: Dr James SlatorDr James Slator (Image: Submitted)

The pedalling marathon was in memory of former long-serving Kelling Hospital medical officer Dr James Slator, who died in January this year aged 91.

Eight of his family cycled from Oxford to Holt at the weekend - re-tracing a route Dr Slator took as an impoverished medical student cycling home during college breaks.

He would sometimes a couple of days, sleeping under hedges and navigating by the stars in the early 1940s.

His family took between nine and 12½ hours - setting off in waves according to their speeds and fitness, but grouping up at Thornage for a final triumphant mass pedal to the hospital finish line.

Daughter Ann Slator, 54, said the ride was 'incredibly successful, with just one puncture between the eight of us.'

The route, via Bedford, Huntingdon, the Fens, and Swaffham, had some lovely scenery on quiet roads and they were helped by a warm and gentle tail wind.

'Cycling all together through Holt was rather special - and we had a welcoming party at the hospital,' she added.

The team had hoped to raise £2,000 for equipment at the palliative ward at Kelling - but they look set to top £5,000.

The family thanked friends and total strangers for their generous donations.

Dr Slator was initially a junior doctor at Kelling and returned to be medical officer for nearly 30 years, before retiring in 1984.

He was also a leading light in the hospital's Friends group and wrote a book on the hospital's history including its time as a tuberculosis sanitorium.

The family who did the ride were daughter Ann, 53 from Chippenham, and her brothers Richard, 64 from Surrey and David, 63, from Scotland.

They were joined by Dr Slator's grandsons Jon, Duncan and Edd, along with Ann's husband Kevin Dobson and Richard's son-in-law Simon Clegg.

Money is still be collected towards their effort. To make a donation at visit http://bit.ly/JamesSlatorMemorial or send a donation to Friends of Kelling, c/o Kelling Hospital, Holt, Norfolk clearly stating the donation is for the James Slator Memorial Challenge.