The manager of a Halstead opticians has completed a gruelling bike ride to help raise more than £3,500 for the British Heart Foundation.

Mark Thompson, of Wardale Williams the Opticians, was part of a nine-man team which completed the 55-mile London to Brighton Bike Ride on Sunday.

The team was made up members of staff from Wardale Williams and sister company Observatory the Opticians, which have practices in Suffolk, Essex and north London.

Mr Thompson managed to tackle the Ditchling Beacon, which reaches a height of more than 800 feet near the end of the course.

“I am delighted to have been involved with such a fantastic team and to have raised so much money for a great cause,” he said.

“Taking part in the event was an experience I will never forget.

“It was challenging, but also very enjoyable.”

The British Heart Foundation is the UK’s largest funder of research into cardiovascular disease.