Beccles: Retired vicar takes on Land's End to John O'Groats for fourth time

This challenge may mean Peter Langford becomes the oldest man to travel the 1,100-mile route from Land's End to John O'Groats

A retired vicar is hoping to become the oldest man to cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats.

It will be the fourth time Peter Langford, from Suffolk, has travelled the 1,100-mile (1,770km) route from Cornwall to Caithness - the two points furthest apart on mainland Britain.

He hopes his endeavours will raise money for two homelessness charities.

The 89-year-old from Beccles said: "I'm getting more confident that I will actually be able to manage it."

Mr Langford first completed the challenge more than a decade ago at the age of 75 and then again when he was 80 and 85.

He will start his latest adventure just four days after his 90th birthday, possibly becoming the oldest man to complete the famous journey.

He will hop onto his bike on 22 August and aims to finish on 21 September.

Mr Langford will travel on B roads and small lanes but he said steep hills in the South West would be the toughest part.

"Devon and Cornwall are far, far, the hardest part of the whole route - much harder than Scotland - because the hills are so steep and you get them over and over again".

Despite having arthritis in his knees, the retired vicar is not letting that hold him back from achieving his cycling challenge

In preparation, Mr Langford has been cycling about 120 miles (193km) a week but has upped the mileage as the start date gets closer.

"I've been doing about 120 miles a week but recently I thought I should do a few long rides together. Last week I did 50 miles on Monday and 50 miles on Tuesday and I felt perfectly alright afterwards," he said.

He hopes to raise enough money to split the donations between two homelessness charities.

Despite suffering with arthritis in his knees he said cycling made him feel "30 years younger".

"You achieve these things in your head - more than with your knees and if you're darned determined", he added.