Mammoth cycle

A cricket fan has cycled the mammoth journey from Britain to Australia to raise money for charity.

Oli Broom, 29, began the epic journey at Lord's Cricket Ground some 14 months ago and arrived in Brisbane in time for the first Ashes Test Match.

He explained: "I have pedalled through 23 countries, have had a hit of cricket in all but three of them (and including Serbia, Turkey, Sudan and Malaysia), and have so far managed to persuade kind donors to raise over 50,000 dollars for my chosen charities."

The chartered surveyor admitted he decided to embark on the trip after realising sitting behind a desk all day wasn't fulfilling him.

The proceeds will be donated to the British Neurological Research Trust and the Lord's Taverners.