Regional director Steve Valentine and sales and design engineer Scott Lightfoot raised over £2,000 between them for the British Heart Foundation by cycling from Manchester to Blackpool throughout the early hours in freezing weather.

Mr Valentine, 46, took on the fundraising challenge in memory of his Dad, John, who died suddenly from a heart attack this year at the age of only 68. His fundraising appeal inspired Mr Lightfoot, 45, who had undergone heart surgery, to join him.

Having completed the gruelling 400-mile Agra to Jaipur Cycle Challenge in 2014 for Save the Children, Mr Valentine found his latest ride equally demanding.

Mr Valentine, who lives in Rossendale, and Mr Lightfoot, from Stockport, set off from Old Trafford Cricket Ground and, after almost five hours of putting their endurance levels to the test, arrived together at the finish line on Blackpool Promenade.

Mr Valentine said: “The midnight start, hill climbs and freezing conditions, with the thermometer dropping to minus one degree centigrade, made this just as tough as my cycle ride across India. At the finish I was freezing cold and very tired, but thrilled at having completed my first-ever cycle ride through the night.

“When I started training for the Manchester to Blackpool challenge, I set myself a target of raising £600 and increasing awareness of heart disease amongst friends, families and customers. I was delighted that we raised so much money, which will be split between the British Heart Foundation and a local BHF store.”