A teacher cycled 1,200km across France for charity.

Bob Harber, 58, who teaches in Upper Beeding, has just completed world cycling's most prestigious amateur event.

Bob completed the arduous course, from Paris to Brest and back, in 90 hours, with only five hours' sleep.

His sponsorship raised £500 for the Chestnut Tree House children's hospice in Angmering.

The teacher, who had to qualify for the event in a series of time trials in the UK, joined 4,000 riders from 25 countries in the event.

The race has a huge following in France, where supporters turn out even in the middle of the night to cheer on the cyclists.

Bob said: "It was a wonderful, if exhausting, experience and great to raise money for the hospice.

"It is not a race but there are time limits for the stages and it really is an incredible experience to share in. There is a wonderful atmosphere.

"The event is held every four years and I already have the dates for 2007 in my diary."