After losing his leg in an accident and battling cancer, Kevin Hickman, pictured, has beaten the odds to train for a 1,000-mile charity bike ride.

Mr Hickman, 42, of Farmers Close, Witney, had his leg amputated after an accident on a railway line in Portsmouth in 1980. He was waiting at the station at the time, but has no memory of how the accident happened.

He took up cycling ten years ago, but has only just climbed back into the saddle after operations for testicular cancer and a torn shoulder muscle.

Mr Hickman, who works for Siemens Magnet Technology, in Eynsham, is hoping to raise £3,000 for an amputees' charity when he pedals 1,044 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats.

He said: "I've been a right leg amputee for 25 years, and started cycling about ten years ago. Once you get over the practical problems, cycling really is the easiest way to get around -- easier than walking! I hope to make other amputees aware of their potential by demonstrating just what's possible.

"I've managed to get fit again after a long lay-off over Christmas following operations for a torn shoulder tendon and testicular cancer. I must have gone a little too far trying to emulate Lance Armstrong! I'm really pleased to be fit again and using this event as a target to aim for has certainly helped."

When he sets off on July 23, Mr Hickman will be joined on the ride by about a dozen other amputees, and aims to cover between 45 and 70 miles a day. Between them, the group hopes to raise £50,000 for the Limbless Association and the Douglas Bader Foundation, a charity named after the Second World War air ace and amputee. The charity's work includes introducing young disabled people to sport.

Anyone who would like to sponsor Mr Hickman can do so at www.justgiving.co.uk/kjh