Regional press editor Michael Beard has completed a 150-mile cycle ride from Brighton to Paris in three days.

The newsman, from The Argus in Brighton, was joined by the paper's managing director Martyn Willis and was part of a group of 50 people which tackled the challenge in blazing heat to raise money for The Argus Appeal.

The convoy cycled from Brighton to Newhaven before catching the ferry to Dieppe where they continued their journey, and on the first night they stayed in Gournay-en-Bray.

The second leg of the journey took them to Chantilly, through the Picardy region of France, stopping for lunch and at various checkpoints, and on their third full day they reached Paris.

Michael, (right), told holdthefrontpage: "I trained really hard for it because I didn't want to fail and it paid off.

"It was a fantastic experience, with great weather and great company."

By completing the gruelling 50-mile-a-day challenge, the group raised £40,000 which will go to various good causes in Sussex.

Michael volunteered to take part to mark the 50th year of The Argus Appeal, and said he enjoyed it so much he may tackle it again next year.

Before the trip he prepared by clocking up the miles on his bike, and during the trip penned a blog for The Argus website.

He said: "It was really enjoyable. Cycling in France is a lot different as the roads are quieter."