Andrew Moult, an achievement made all the more remarkable as he traveled 20 miles in the wrong direction after some Northern pranksters turned a vital road sign the wrong way.

The 63-year-old in a wheelchair and his team of a fellow cyclist and two support staff rode 245 miles in four days between Southport on the Irish Sea and Hornsea on the North Sea.

The epic challenge also raised over £1,100 for Shine, the charity which helps people with spina bifida, hydrocephalus and anencephaly.

He said: “It was tough, especially for the hills with a 1.10 gradient, but I’m happy to be the first person to hand pedal the Trans Pennine trail. It’s a lot more difficult to pedal by hand uphill than on a normal bike.

“The day we did 20 miles in the wrong direction due to signs flipping over, it was really tough. I think it was done by kids but it wasn’t much fun at the time. “

He added: “My team were fantastic and really helped when the going got tough, going 60 miles a day is never easy. But I wanted to raise money for the spina bifida charity Shine and up to now we got £1,145.

“I promised my sister I would challenge her after seeing what she has been through all her life and I was put in touch with Shine, they are the only charity in the country that helps people with spina bifida.”

Andrew’s team included Steve Price of Walsall Bike Project and partner Penn Harris, with two support drivers traveling behind them.

Mr. Moult hoped his success would inspire people with disabilities to embrace cycling as a way to exercise.

He said: “It would be nice to get more disabled people back on their bikes, I had 24 stone when I started and I’m now 18 and a half stone and it’s great when you’re out there and that you meet people and get that endorphin rush.”