A TAVISTOCK man is currently cycling more than 1,000 gruelling miles across the UK in a bid to raise funds for Tavistock Museum.

Dean Elliott, 52, is just over halfway through his journey, taking a longer route than normal from Land's End to John O'Groats.

He is joined by a group of friends, Pete Rodgers, Jeremy Hyde, Paul Newton and Bill Sparks, of which he is the youngest, and started the ride in Cornwall, leading through the West Country into Wales, Southern Ireland, Northern Ireland and will be ending in Scotland.

Although they are all riding for various charities, Dean has chosen Tavistock Museum to benefit from his fundraising efforts.

His mother, Linda Elliott, is a trustee of the museum. She said: 'So far two of them have fallen off and my son has been ill, but they are still going. They are doing about 100 miles a day and seem to be having great fun.

'We are always fundraising at the museum and the money he raises will be a big help. It will be put towards preserving documents.'

Dean would like to raise as much money as possible. Anyone who would like to sponsor him can do so by visiting the museum, which is open every day from 11am to 3pm or contact Linda on 01822 615211.