A TEAM of cyclists have successfully completed a 450 mile trip in memory of a much loved colleague and friend from Le Mans — to Le Mans.

The four arrived in Rue de Bolton Le Mans in France on Saturday after setting off the Sunday from Le Mans Bolton in honour of Colin Needham, who died of a brain tumour in January of this year, aged just 50.

The riders Steve Abbott, Chris Cox, Mark Holroyd and Mark Sheen along with a support team of Mr Abbott's new wife Gill and James Tomlinson were met to their surprise and delight by Mr Needham's parents

Wyn and Jimmy who were holding a banner welcoming the cyclists as they cross the finishing line. Their welcome followed the send off by Mayor of Bolton Lynda Byrne and Mr Needham's sister Melanie Jones.

The cycle ride was organised by Bolton-based George Cox & Sons.

Mr Needham, originally from Harwood and lived in Ramsbottom, was a popular member of staff at Bolton-based George Cox and Sons Ltd

Mr Cox, managing director, said: "It was a humbling experience to see so many coming to wish us well at the start and then to pick up their messages of support throughout the ride was at times overwhelming.

"We were blessed with fantastic weather for the first four days, when in England and bizarrely the further south we went the worse the weather became.

"The last 65 miles we had to endure heavy rain all day, but the finish line was in sight so it didn’t matter."

He added that Mr Needham's parents told them said: "Colin would have loved something like this and we are so proud that everyone thought so much of him and wanted to be involved in this great project in his memory.”

The group aimed to raise £2,000 for the Brain Tumour Charity.

This was exceeded when Mr Abbott and his new wife who only got married the day before the riders set off, asked that all their wedding guests made a donation to the charity as their wedding present.

The total the group have raised to date has almost doubled this target and is currently £3,900.