Former Lavington School pupil Doug Millar has returned to his home in Devon after a 3,000-mile cycle trip to Africa and back.

Mr Millar, 31, whose father, also called Doug, was deputy head at the school, took on the two-wheeled odyssey with his uncle Rob Dolan. It took them five weeks and two days.

Mr Millar’s mother, Carol, said: “For 17 years of Doug’s life his grandparents lived with us. His grandpa developed the early signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s Support enabled us as a family to continue to have him at home. The volunteers came and took him out for the afternoon, giving Nan and the family respite for a few hours.”

Mr Millar has already gained £8,100 in online pledges to be split between Alzheimer’s Support and Sidmouth Living with Cancer, with more to come, it is hoped.

Anyone who would like to contribute to the sponsorship can do so online at www.virginmoneygiving.com/ DougMillar