An intrepid cyclist overcame a broken hip to help raise hundreds of pounds for charity.

On Sunday Les Littler, 78, of Trinity Road, Halstead, was one of four volunteers to cycle 28 miles in aid of Essex Dementia Care between its Rayleigh and Braintree offices.

His wife Madge used to go to the charity’s day centres and Mr Littler has done many events to support its work.

The former RAF officer suffered a broken hip after his bike slipped on black ice near Halstead reservoir in December last year.

He had hoped to cycle 78 miles in day this year, as part of his birthday celebrations, but has had to limit his training while he recovers.

He is now planning to cycle 79 miles next year instead.

Speaking about his most recent event he said: “It was fine.

“One of the biggest problems was getting the trains [from Braintree to Rayleigh] as there was only a few minutes between them, and we only just caught some of them.”