A cyclist battled the elements to raise money for a charity that helped his father.

Neil Baker, from Bridport, participated in Weldmar's Great Dorset Cycle Challenge, which saw cyclists take to the pedals to raise money for the hospice.

The challenge was split into three distances, 60 kilometres, 80 to 90 kilometres, and 120.

Neil participated in the latter in memory of his father, Godfrey Baker, a former builder in Bridport.

Godfrey five years after his retirement was diagnosed with Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma, which quickly took hold, leaving him less active and unable to see his garden.

Neil participated in the cycle because Weldmar helped Godfrey in his final few years, taking him by bus to attend a weekly session at Greenfields, where he was able to meet people in a similar situation.

Speaking on the cycle ride, Neil said: "We all started in Dorchester in the rain and as the day went on, it got wetter, and we were all very wet and freezing cold.

"Thank you to all the water stations, one in the Weldmar shop in Bridport, Lyme Regis, and a special big thank you to the volunteers in the Beaminster Weldmar shop for nice hot cups of tea and hospitality before we had the bike ride up out of Beaminster to the A356 then to Cerne Abbas.

"120 kilometres later I was back in Dorchester to a big welcome back from my friends and family."

Neil, who currently works at Groves Nurseries and Garden Centre, prepared for the challenge by cycling to work everyday.

So far, Neil has raised nearly £600 through a JustGiving page for Weldmar, and more than £1,000 overall, and hopes he can raise some more now the cycle has finished.

Neil said: "I had a great time and the cold and wet hasn't put me off doing another long distance charity bike ride.

"I have raised lots of money doing the challenge but there is still time to donate some more money, so visit my Just Giving Page.

"I'd like to thank the other riders for keeping up and having no negativity on the weather. We were all going to get round and it was really good to meet some nice people."

This year was the first that Weldmar held the challenge, and raised £6,000 to help run its services.

Matt Smith, director of Fundraising and Marketing at Weldmar, said: "This is the first year of holding this event and we already have lots of exiting plans to make it bigger and better for 2019.

"There was a great atmosphere with support from friends and family at the start and finish, and despite the tough cycling conditions, all participants crossed the finish line in very respectable times."

To sponsor Neil, you can visit justgiving.com/fundraising/neil-baker20