An injured soldier who lost both his legs in Afghanistan has completed one of the world's toughest cycling challenges ahead of schedule.

Steven Arnold, a staff sergeant with the Royal Engineers, was one of eight injured servicemen to tackle the coast-to-coast Race Across America (RAAM) for Help for Heroes.

The 32-year-old, originally from North Lynn, had both legs amputated above the knee after he was wounded in an explosion last year and competed in the gruelling 3,051-mile race using a hand bike.

Team Battle Back was welcomed into Annapolis, Maryland, on Saturday evening after completing challenge in just seven days, seven hours and 59 minutes with an average speed of more than 17mph - beating their target of 15.4mph.

'It's been a tough eight days, but it's a huge achievement to have got this far,' he said.

'Kansas was definitely the toughest part, with the heat and barren landscape. It feels awesome to have completed the RAAM and I'd like to say thank you to everyone for their support.'

Staff sergeant Arnold was hurt in a bomb blast while on operations in Afghanistan in April last year and has been recovering at Headley Court in Surrey.

Every rider in Team Battle Back has been either wounded on operations or injured in training, including four double amputees, and they cycled 350 to 500 miles a day.

This is the first time British military wounded have attempted the race and they have been competing against both professional and amateur cyclists as well as a team of US wounded personnel.

Make a donation at www.bmycharity.com/battlebackraam2012.