A taxi driver from Grove has raised thousands of pounds for cancer research after losing his father and son to the disease in the past six months.

Taxi boss Phil Reeder lost his father John to the disease in March, just two days before his 73rd birthday, and his son Paul, died last month, aged 26, after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

Despite the cruel setback, Mr Reeder, 51, who took over the running of the Grove Cabs business from his father, teamed up with other members of the family in a bid to try to drive the 3,500 miles around the country's coastline in less five days.

They not only completed the trip but managed to raise almost £6,500 for Cancer Research UK during their round-Britain dash which they completed in just four-and-a-half days.

Mr Reeder, of Bosleys Orchard, Grove, had donated a kidney to his eldest son, Paul, who was medically discharged from the Army after the disease was discovered.

But the transplant failed, and Paul died on September 5, just three weeks after his marriage to Roxi, in the nearby village of Lockinge in August.

Mr Reeder, who runs the taxi business said his youngest brother, Michael, 41, came up with the fundraising idea, backed by his wife, Ruth, who added extra impetus to the venture by suggesting they should call it a Drive 4 Life.

They were joined on the fundraising mission by another brother, Terry, 46, who works at the BMW car plant in Oxford, and Phil's youngest son, Daniel, 20.

Mr Reeder and his family took four-hour shifts at the wheel to complete the round-Britain drive.

"I think the project was worthwhile - we had to do it - and I know Paul would be proud of me, said Mr Reed senior. The fact we raised so much is a testament to him."

As they set off yesterday to talk to bank managers about the charity fund set up in Paul's memory, Mr Reeder said: "I feel proud for Paul. He never knew when he would go, but he accepted that one day he wouldn't be around.

"All I wanted to do was to do this in his name."

Grove Cabs' nine Skoda cars are a well-known sight around the local area, and Oxford dealer Jewson's supplied them with a new Octavia for the round-Britain trip in August.

He said that local people could still contribute towards the cause by giving donations to any of their drivers waiting on the taxi rank in Wantage Market Place, or by visiting the website www.justgiving.com/grove cabs