A blind pensioner aims to prove age is no barrier when he takes part in a gruelling bike ride.

War hero Ray Sheriff is among 27,000 people taking part in this weekend's London to Brighton Bike Ride.

Mr Sheriff, 82, is embarking on the 56-mile ride on a tandem, accompanied by Ben Sherratt, who is 49 years his junior.

But Mr Sheriff, of Elvin Crescent, Rottingdean, is no stranger to sporting achievement.

For the last 12 years he has taken part in a 12,000ft parachute jump near the location where he lost his sight during the Second World War.

As a member of the Third Parachute Battalion, he was blinded during the battle of Ginkel in Holland in 1944.

Last year's jump left him with an injured ankle, so the pensioner decided to attempt the popular cycle ride instead.

He said: "I have always been an active person and I love a challenge.

"I first started riding a tandem at St Dunstan's back in 1945 and have kept it up ever since.

"I am not nervous about the ride because Ben and I have been doing a lot of training and we work well together, despite the age difference. I'm very much looking forward to it."

Mr Sheriff met Mr Sherratt at the Lifecycle bike hire shop in Preston Park. They have been cycle partners for about a year.

Mr Sherratt, 33, from Kemp Town, said: "Ray is a remarkable man and a real character. People do not often have relationships with people two generations older than themselves but Ray and I have become great mates.

"Training with him is a privilege. I am fascinated by his life story and have learnt so much from him."

"There is an etiquette involved in riding with a blind person and we have built up a strong trust."

Mr Sheriff is grateful to his younger companion for keeping him riding.

He said: "Ben is the reason I am doing this race. It means so much to be able to keep active and continue doing the things that make me happy."

The pair hope to raise more than £200 for the British Heart Foundation, which organises the annual bike ride.