An 85-year-old cyclist showed age was no barrier by cycling to Brighton for charity.

George Triner, of Stoneleigh, kept the wheels turning on a long-standing family tradition by completing the 55-mile feat with his son Steve, 49, on Saturday.

The grandfather-of-three has been an avid cyclist for most of his life, taking part in time trials and track races with the Surrey Road Cycling Club, and has made the journey to the south coast each year since his son was 14.

The pedalling pensioner, a retired joiner, said: “We’ve kept up the tradition even after I had a stent fitted for a heart problems a few years ago.

“Thirty years ago I would cycle from London to Brighton and back again in well under six hours, but we take it a bit easier now. So, this time the ride took us eight hours.”

This year Steve raised money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in memory of his 53-year-old brother-in-law, Michael Lambe, who died following a heart attack in May.

Steve, who works at Sutton’s Citizens Advice Bureau, said: “Most years my dad and I cycle to Brighton, it’s become a sort of tradition, and this year I wanted to raise money on behalf of Michael.

“He was a lovely man and when he died it was devastating for everyone in the family, in particular his seven-year-old son and his wife. Michael’s death has left a hole in the lives of a lot of people.

“In a way I’m not surprised that he has been able to keep cycling for so long because he has never stopped. I think that’s why he can do it, it would be much more difficult if he had picked it up later in life, but he has done it for so long that I don’t think it’s a problem.”

Karl Coppack, fundraising manager for the BHF, said: “It’s only because of dedicated people like Steve and George that the BHF can continue its vital work fighting heart disease.

“Our research has already helped to save thousands of lives. Every pound raised from this run will be spent on funding new breakthroughs to help prevent, treat and cure heart conditions.

“Despite great progress over the last 50 years, cardiovascular disease still kills around 160,000 people each year.“ So far the father-and-son duo have raised about £500 for the BHF. To donate click here.