AN OKEHAMPTON resident has completed a mammoth charity bus trip from Land's End to John O'Groats and back.

Richard Stedall joined fellow bus enthusiast Alan Moore from London on the 1,500-mile round trip.

Both men started the trip on July 15 to raise money for educational projects funded by Oxfam, including a newly built or rebuilt school classroom and enough stock for a school library. They completed the novel journey on Saturday.

Richard was inspired to take the trip in memory of his sister, Heather, who supported Oxfam until she died in 2009, aged just 30.

Despite difficulties, Richard battled through: 'Despite breakdowns, tight connections, sixteen days of travelling for twelve to thirteen hours a day, the drama of a mass whale stranding in Durness the day we arrived in the far north west of Scotland, and more than a few late nights and early starts, we are at the end of our trip.'

Along the way, Richard and Alan's friends and families have hopped on board to join the pair on part of their journey, with more than 20 people joining the pair to lend their support and help raise more money.

The duo arrived at Land's End at around 9.30am, before leaving at 10.15am to travel via the north coast to St Ives and Newquay at 1.15pm before returning to Okehampton via Plymouth later that afternoon.

The pair have raised almost £6,000 so far, smashing their initial target on £2,129. They are hoping that the final leg of their tour has helped raise the grand total even higher.

For more details and to find out how you can donate, visit http://www.giftsforheather.com">www.giftsforheather.com