AFTER completing a ride from Land's End to John O'Groats in 2011, Paul Bruce, Johnny Platten and Nigel Thompson came up with a new challenge.

It involved tackling the national three peaks in one week - Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike, in England, and Snowdon in Wales - and cycling the 480 miles between them.

As a result, Paul, from Settle, and Johnny and Nigel, from Ingleton, raised more than £1,000 for St John's Hospice, Lancaster.

The men's support team of Paul's wife, Suzanne ,and Nigel's wife, Felicity, also climbed the three peaks with them.

During the cycling challenge, especially on day two, the trio battled through wind and rain, flooding, snow and hailstones.

"This was supposed to be the first day of summer in Scotland and it felt like the worst day of winter in England," said Susanne.

Day three saw them ride from Moffat to Borrowdale in the Lake District but with two punctures on the journey it meant another late night.

Next day saw them climbing England’s biggest peak, Scafell Pike with the women and then they were off again on their bikes for the 41-mile ride to Kendal. Again they had problems with tyres which made the journey longer than expected.

The challenge saw them call at St John's Hospice before arriving in Chester ready for the final push on June 6 reaching the top of Mount Snowden in low cloud and windy conditions.

The men would like to thank everyone along the way for the kind words of support and donations to St John’s Hospice. Donations can be given at Just Giving www.justgiving.com/paulyb1983