A vicar will cycle across Europe in a bid to raise thousands for an anti-slavery charity.

Rev Gav Murray, minister of Morden Baptist Church, in Crown Lane, Morden, will be pedalling 2,500km across mainland Europe for the Zoe Challenge.

The challenge is named after one of the first girls rescued by British anti-human trafficking charity Hope for Justice.

Zoe was trafficked into the UK for sexual exploitation, suffering from violence at the hands of her controllers.

Mr Murray will be joined by CEO of the charity Ben Cooley and former Emmerdale star Tom Lister.

The team will cross six countries, taking on a gruelling trip from Riga, Latvia to the Dutch port of Rotterdam.

Church members Tim Pollen, Andrew Sadler and Sam Young will join in the ride from Hull to Southampton, arriving in June 1 for an end party.

Mr Murray said: "Hearing Zoe’s shocking story and realising this goes on in the UK inspired me to help Hope for Justice rescue victims of human trafficking. 

"That’s why I’m going through the pain barrier for three weeks to raise £15,000."

To make a donation visit justgiving.com/Gavin-Murray2