A suspected disability benefits cheat exposed on national television last week participated in a national bike race lasting 24 hours earlier this year, the Croydon Guardian can reveal.

Graham Axford, of Belgrave Road, Croydon, who claims he cannot work as he has a bad back after a motorbike accident, was one of three members of Addiscombe Cycling Club who took part in the national 24 hour Time Trial Championship, held in June.

The race sees cyclists compete to cover the longest distance over a 24 hour period.

Last week, an investigation by BBC's Panorama revealed Mr Axford, 57, who has been in receipt of incapacity benefit for 15 years, is under investigation for fraud, after he was caught sailing his private yacht across the Atlantic Ocean and heard boasting about travelling around the world.

The former Liberal Democrat council candidate has been claiming the benefit since injuring his back in a motorcycle accident in 1996, but the injury caused no problems for him as he tackled dangerous waters sailing 43ft Crumpet Too from America to the Azores.

Mr Axford was given a council flat in 1997, after he failed to tell authorities he half-owned a farmhouse in Carentan, Normandy.

He then held on to his council property while living in France and the US, where he admits to being based for the last seven years.

During this time he continued to receive payments of incapacity benefit, housing benefit and council tax benefit. His claims are now being investigated by Croydon Council.

Fraud investigator Andrea Corderey told the programme said: "He's got a property in France and also we discovered that he owns a yacht.

"He is in receipt of incapacity benefit based on a bad back. We are not quite convinced what he's told us about his disability is true."

Mr Axford's solicitor said he had never fraudulently misrepresented the nature or extent of his back injury.

He added his eligibility for incapacity benefit had been assessed and verified by medical professionals and having an ongoing back condition was not incompatible with cycling or sailing a boat with assistance.

A council spokesman said: "We are still anxious to speak to Mr Axfrod in regard to a number of allegations in regard to a number of allegations in relation to his benefit payments."