'WE STILL live in a country of extremely kind, friendly people,' that was the over-riding thought of Walkhampton resident Mike Woolley, who has just returned from a 5,000-mile motorcycle ride around the coastline of Britain.

Mike was offered accommodation by well-wishers who followed him on his blog during the month-long journey where he experienced people coming out of nowhere and pressing £10 notes into his hands.

The tree surgeon was raising money for Combat Stress — the mental health charity for ex-service personnel — which is hoping to raise £30-million for a chain of local support centres.

During the 30 days he used 95 gallons of fuel to power his Yamaha 660 and fuelled himself with 'hideous amounts of pot noodle': 'I met some incredible people and discovered that the kindness of strangers really does exist,' said Mike, a self-employed tree surgeon.

'I camped half of the time but the rest I stayed with well-wishers who went into my blog site and asked me to give them a ring when I was in their area.'

Mike, who has been riding motorbikes for 40 years, said he barely got wet in the whole month on the road but he did experience some very cold and frosty conditions in Scotland.

'I have never seen so much of Britain before and seeing it on a bike gives you a unique snapshot of the coastline as you go through. The west coast of Scotland is stunning and the biggest surprise to me was how fantastic the Kent coastline is.'

The trip has so far raised £4,000 for the charity. Mike said he chose Combat Stress because he has friends who have served in Afghanistan and he was aware of the acceleration in demand for mental health care over the last few years.

He said the nearest support centre to get specialist help currently was in Surrey or the Midlands.