Most people would spend their 60th birthday opening cards and presents and tucking into a slice of cake.

But for Stephen Cone, entering his seventh decade yesterday saw him getting on a bike at Ness Point, Lowestoft, and setting off on a gruelling 3,000 mile charity trek.

Over the next two months the 60-year-old, from Carlton Colville, will cycle to the furthest flung parts of Britain, canoe 23 miles of the Wash, surf in Cornwall and climb the Three Peaks.

Mr Cone, a former Lowestoft College lecturer, is going on his sporting challenge to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation and Steps – a charity which supports people with lower limb problems.

Both charities are close to Mr Cone's heart as his father died three years ago from a heart problem and his granddaughter is recovering from a hip displacement problem.

Mr Cone was waved off by his family and friends as he set off from Ness Point at about 6am and tonight he hopes to have reached the Lee Valley, north of London.

He said the hardest part of his challenge was missing his wedding anniversary with wife, Veronica.

To support Mr Cone visit www.justgiving.com/teams/lengthand width