Cyclist Mark Wonnacott from Somerset is to complete the final leg of a charity bike ride that claimed the life of a father of two.

Mr Wonnacott, 34, from Cotford St Luke, near Taunton, has stepped forward to finish the last phase of a John-o'-Groats to Land's End challenge after 48-year-old businessman Graham Lees was killed two weeks ago on the A38 as he approached the final days of the charity ride.

Mr Wonnacott, who works at a distribution depot in Bridgwater, cycles to work ever day and passes the spot of the accident at Walford Cross and Monkton Elm where Mr Lees was hit by two cars on October 2.

Mr Wonnacott said he felt compelled to complete the ride in memory of the fallen cyclist and to help raise cash for Mr Lees' chosen charity.

He said: "I was really saddened by what happened. I didn't know them but I felt for him and his family.

"I am a keen cyclist but I must admit, passing the place where it happened does make you think twice, especially when you have a young family.

"But you shouldn't let that put you off and I thought it would be nice if someone could finish off what Mr Lees started.

"Because the accident happened here on our roads, I suppose you feel a bit of responsibility."

Mr Wonnacott has won huge support from his employers and Devon and Somerset Fire Service. His colleague Keith Tucker is a firefighter and has arranged to borrow a minibus from Bridgwater Fire Station and join his pal on the 150-mile journey to Land's End when he leaves from Taunton fire station.

Mr Wonnacott said: "The support from people has been brilliant. Keith is going to drive the bus while I cycle and he'll be carrying some spares and food. We leave Taunton at 7am and will be in Bodmin some time in the afternoon.

"We're going to spend a night there and the fire station has offered to put us up so we can get our heads down.

"Then on Friday we'll carry on to Land's End and drive back so we should be back here by Friday night."

Mr Wonnacott usually cycles up to of 30 miles a day and has not attempted such a long-distance challenge but he is ready to push the boundaries in order to complete the ride and raise cash for Northamptonshire and Warwickshire Air Ambulance, Mr Lees' chosen charity.

"I haven't done anything like this before but I love cycling and I am fit so I think it will be okay," he said.

Mr Lees' original appeal has raised more than £13,000.