A couple have completed a 250-mile charity cycle ride to Notre Dame in Paris after having to buy new bikes.

Daniel Smith and Carly Heywood, from East Oxford, set off from Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, April 16.

Mr Smith, 27, and his partner Miss Heywood, 24, have so far raised more than £1,000 for a Ghanian orphanage.

As reported in the Oxford Mail, the couple hoped to raise £3,000 for a minibus, but their bikes were taken from Reliance Way, Oxford, on April 4, after thieves cut through the locks.

Mr Smith said: “The cycle ride went great. It was tough at times, but we made it.

“We managed to raise £1,100, but we still have sponsorship coming in which is good.

“We will be sending out the money to the orphanage this week.”