A rider has completed a historic cycling route in memory of his father.

Alan Buttler, 37, from Furze Hill, Brighton, paid tribute to his father Alf’s first involvement in the Peace Race in 1955 and also raised money for the charity Diabetes UK.

Alf was a former British cycling team mechanic and manager who died of diabetes-related complications at the end of 2008.

His son, accompanied by 1960s team member Geoff Wiles, recreated the Peace Race route from Prague to Warsaw last month.

The Peace Race was founded in 1948 to improve relations between Poland and Czechoslovakia after the Second World War and was renowned as one of the toughest and fastest stage races in the world.

The pair cycled 1,500 miles over 12 days.

Mr Buttler said: “It was a gruelling feat which was often very exhausting, sometimes cycling more than 100 miles a day.

“It was also an extremely heartwarming experience, especially with the many welcoming committees that that been arranged in memory of my dad.

“I was so proud that he was still so fondly thought of after all these years.”

Diabetes UK regional fundraising manager Jenny Green said: “We thank and appreciate the fantastic fundraising achievements of both Alan and Geoff. It is truly a massive accomplishment to have cycled that distance in aid of our charity.”