PARIS to London is a well-travelled flight route, but one man from Ponthir took the scenic route and cycled it instead.

Iain Glover, 45, from Candwr Park, raised £915 pounds for CLIC Sargent, cycling in memory of his friend’s son Ben Crutchley, who died of a brain tumour last year aged nine.

His team, including Ben’s father Nigel, raised more than £24,000, smashing their £15,000 target.

They made it back to London on July 1, with Iain starting work again next day despite his aching muscles.

During the cycle, they pedalled for 23 hours and 5 minutes, covering 284.28 miles They climbed 4,955 metres and descended 4,989 metres, each burning off a massive 15,865 calories.

Father-of-two Mr Glover, who works with RBS, said: “We’re really pleased. It was tough. There were four long days and because we have all got full-time jobs I don’t think any of us had cycled consistently for four days before.”

GMTV, Boris Johnson and Sir Philip Hampton from RBS met his team of 12 riders at the finish line in Devonshire Square, London.

All team members work for the bank and were given time off for the feat.

They chose to donate to CLIC Sargent because of the help received from the charity’s nurses during Ben’s illness.

Mr Glover said: “It was something like this happening to a very close friend that made me think I should do something.”

To donate, visit Iain’s JustGiving page at justgiving.com/Iain-Glover