While others in their autumn years are content to step back from life's frantic pace, 70-year-old Harry Featherstone still cycles 40 miles a day.

Every day the grandfather-of-five of Hawthylands Road, Hailsham, rises just before 7am, has porridge and toast for breakfast, then sets off across East Sussex.

His fitness amazes people half his age. And he claims his gruelling daily routine - which he has stuck to since 1982 - is the key to his healthy body and mind.

He said: "It's not in my nature to do things by halves. I just love Cycling and I think I'll be cycling till the day I pop my clogs."

Mr Featherstone started cycling aged 18 in 1950. What began as a hobby quickly developed as he became one of the country's fastest riders.

In 1951 he was the second quickest pursuit cyclist in Britain. Two years later he broke the national 4,000m national pursuit record.

At his peak, Mr Featherstone was considered for the British Olympic cycling team in Helsinki but he reckons his youth worked against him.

He gave up cycling for 23 years to concentrate on his timber and ironmongery business and bringing up his son, David, and daughter, Linda, with wife Lillian. But in 1982, aged 50, he returned to the saddle.

When he moved to East Sussex, he joined Eastbourne Rovers Cycling Club and won 33 races last year alone.

His passion has frequently spilled into his family life. At his daughter's wedding, he is pictured in top hat and tails on a bicycle.

Even a heart scare failed to deter him. Five years ago he had minor heart surgery for a restricted artery.

Wife Lillian Featherstone, 69, said: "He doesn't act his age and doesn't consider himself old in any way. He's happiest in the company of young people."

Simon Prior, of Eastbourne Rovers, said: "When he puts his helmet on, Harry's just like a 21-year-old. He's unbelievable and I know many people a lot younger than him would be happy with the times he gets in races. He's like the Schumacher of the cycling world."