A 68-YEAR-old who took up cycling four years ago has completed a 142-mile pedal pilgrimage to the Dutch capital.

Semi-retired Fleet Street photographer Herbie Knott from Weobley took part in the Football to Amsterdam event, organised every year for Prostate Cancer UK.

He cycled from the 2012 Olympic Stadium in East London to Amsterdam with 400 other people, most of them football supporters, but also a team from AFC Wimbledon.

Mr Knott said: "Three friends of mine, who were a similar sort of age to me, had prostate cancer. Loads of other people in the UK have the same problem. It is a massive killer.

"I would advise anyone who has not done so yet to go and see your local GP immediately. Prostate cancer is a very aggressive disease, especially if you are young.

"The two people that I knew were in their 50s when they died from the illness."

He started cycling four years ago at the age of 64, determined to do something about prostate cancer after what happened to his friends.

Since he started cycling, he has travelled 7,000 miles and spent 650 hours practising.

During his latest challenge he cycled 142 miles during two days and has so far raised more than £2,000.

To sponsor him go to justgiving.com/fundraising/herbieknott.