PC Jason Woods, Ashtead’s neighbourhood officer, is swapping his uniform and police issue bike for Lycra and a state-of-the-art carbon fibre bicycle.

And he is exchanging the relatively flat area of Ashtead for the mountainous regions of France.

PC Woods has signed up to take part in the l’Etape du Tour, a gruelling ride for amateurs which takes place over one of the Tour de France’s mountain stages a week before the famous race itself.

This year’s route includes Mont Ventoux, one of the most legendary Tour de France mountains.

The route is 108 miles with a 2,000m climb over six smaller mountains before it finishes with a 14-mile climb.

He said: “Imagine riding up a hill steeper than Box Hill for nearly three hours after having already ridden nearly 100 miles.”

PC Woods will be heading for the start line on July 20 to raise £2,500 for the Multiple Sclerorsis Society.

“I have been training hard for this event in my spare time and I am really looking forward to the challenge. This is a massive challenge for me, and it is going to hurt.”

People who want to support him should visit just giving.com/jasonwoods1.