A Bradford Teaching Hospitals’ cardiographer cycled to the most northerly point of Europe to challenge himself after receiving life-saving surgery.

Nick Marston timed the challenge to coincide with his 40th birthday, cycling a total of 4,408 miles solo to the Nordkapp.

The Eccleshill man was 26 years old when he was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour, but after life-saving surgery at Leeds General Infirmary he decided to live life to the full.

When he reached the Nordkapp, he wrote a postcard of thanks to the surgeon in Leeds.

Mr Marston, who cycles to Bradford Royal Infirmary or St Luke’s every working day, took unpaid leave from the Foundation Trust to complete his trip.

He spent just over two months completing the challenge, camping at various places along the route.

He said: “It was a mammoth but exhilarating feat which involved me taking the ferry from Harwich to Denmark and cycling through Denmark, Sweden and Norway, crossing the Arctic Circle before reaching the Nordkapp – the northern most point in Europe.

“It was so much colder than I had ever imagined. It was more challenging than I had anticipated as well. Parts of the journey were very scary indeed. When I was in my final days heading towards the finishing point I was doubting if I could make it.

“There were some severely strong winds which actually knocked me off my bike.”