Penny farthing duo reach Paris after 230-mile ride

Matt Richardson and Bill Pollard reached the Eiffel Tower on Wednesday

Two men have completed a challenge to ride penny farthings from their home town to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Matt Richardson, who is recovering from cancer, and friend Bill Pollard left Henley-on-Thames on 8 June, riding a modern version of the Victorian bicycle.

The five-day trip, in memory of Mr Richardson's father who died from cancer, raised money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The pair, who covered about 230 miles (370km), have raised more than £17,000 for the cause.

Mr Richardson said the challenge had been "much more demanding" than predicted, but was also "much more amusing, rewarding, touching than any of us expected".

The pair have raised more than £17,000 for charity

"The response of people who met us was just extraordinary - it was incredible," he said.

They had planned a shorter ride to finish with, but were forced to take a "circuitous" route to reach the Eiffel Tower due to nearby road closures.

On reaching their finish line, Mr Richardson said the pair had a "massive man hug", adding: "We're English, so we didn't really say much initially."

"I don't think either of us knew what to say for a while, it was so massive and so significant that we're still working it out actually," he said.

"It's so emotionally charged, with my illness and the intensity with which people have contributed, not just with money, but with offers of help and encouragement."

Due to Mr Richardson's tonsil and lymph node cancer, which was diagnosed in 2022, he celebrated with "some water" while others had "some champagne".