A Bromley fundraiser is cycling a gruelling 300 miles from Greenwich to Paris in support of the British armed forces community.

Nikki Clarke, who lives in Park Road, started training in April, having not been on a bike in years, to prepare for the four day journey.

So far she has raised £6000 for the Royal British Legion ahead of the Pedal to Paris bike ride next month.

40-year-old Ms Clarke, a section manager and “charity champion” at Bromley Marks and Spencer’s has stuck to a tough training schedule in preparation.

Ms Clarke said: "I’ve done a marathon before and I like raising money for charity, we were only meant to raise about £1200 but we’ve done extra raffles and quiz nights and got the customers involved.

"It was tough first of all, you have to learn again how far you can push yourself.

"A friend from work is doing it as well. To start with we were riding with Breeze cycling club which is women’s only, it’s been a God send just starting in women’s groups, local cyclists and clubs have been really supportive."

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Nikki Clarke is cycling from Greenwich Park to Paris.

Ms Clarke plans to continue cycling after the 300 mile challenge.

She said: "It’s definitely a hobby I’ll keep up, I've really enjoyed it. My fitness levels are so much better and you can just switch off, and I’ve met lots of great people doing it."

The bike ride starts on Thursday, September 1 in Greenwich Park and will take Ms Clarke, along with more than 350 other cyclists, through London, Kent and Northern France.

The event will finish in Paris on Sunday, September 4 where a service of remembrance will be held at the Arc de Triomphe.

The Pedal to Paris is the UK’s longest running charity bike ride between the two capital cities.

The event has raised more than £5million for the Royal British Legion since it started in 1996.

To sponsor Ms Clarke visit her fundraising page.