Cyclists cracked open the bubbly to celebrate finishing a gruelling two-day challenge that raised £1,000 for The Argus Appeal.

Nine fund-raisers, all current or former employees of The Argus, cycled across the heavy terrain of the 105-mile rough Southdown Way at the weekend.

They rode up hills and through thunderstorms, even though none professed to be an experienced cyclist.

Alan May, who was a backup rider, said: "It took an incredible amount of effort. Whenever anyone got tired, we all had to really encourage them to continue.

"When they were cycling up the last hill, all they could see was thunder and lightning but they rode through it."

The group started at Winchester station, Hampshire, on Friday at 8am and finished at Eastbourne Pier on Saturday at 8pm.