A cyclist from Rickmansworth is riding from London to Surrey in place of his injured best friend.

Michael Marks, 50, will be riding 100 miles for Yair Shahar, 47, who was born with congenital heart disease.

Mr Shahar was meant to be completing the challenge himself, on July 31, but was hit by a car while training and shattered his pelvis.

Mr Marks said: “The 100-mile challenge was the last thing on our minds as we waited patiently at his bedside. But as soon as he was able to, he asked if I would take his place.

“I immediately accepted. I knew how much time and effort Yair had put in while training, and how badly he wanted to raise money for the British Heart Foundation - a charity that had done so much to improve the lives of the millions of people, like Yair, who suffer from heart and circulatory disease."

In October 2014, Mr Shahar had a major heart operation. As soon as he recovered he began training again, and completed the London to Paris bike ride in October 2015.

His next challenge was the London to Surrey bike ride, but unfortunately Mr Shahar’s accident stopped him from doing it.

Mr Marks said: “Yair has never let his condition get to him. I’m a keen cyclist myself but it’s the first time I’ll complete this course. It’s always a little nerve-wracking, but knowing that I’m cycling on behalf of Yair and making him proud is more than enough motivation.

“Yair has just started walking again, but it’s going to be a long road to recovery. I’m just thankful that he’ll be cheering me on with his family at the finish line.”

To sponsor Mr Marks go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/michaels100.