A HEREFORD police officer is gearing up for one of the toughest challenges of his life.

Chris Lea, 48, is preparing to cycle more than 300 miles in two days from Hereford to Bangor and back, taking on the Burway, Bwlch-y-Groes – also known as the hellfire pass – and Llanberis Pass.

He is raising money for the ELY Memorial Fund, having often worked with families who had lost children in collisions on the county's roads in his former role as a family liaison officer.

The father-of-two said: "If I could help one family, that's worth doing for me."

The ELY 300 Triple challenge will start at 6am from Hereford Football Club on Saturday, June 18.

He is hoping to back in Hereford on the Sunday evening around 6pm, when a fundraising evening will be held at the HFC Starlite Rooms.

Tickets are £2 and will include food, live music (from 8pm) and a raffle.

For tickets call Angela Tyler on 07877591583.

Anyone who would like to donate can visit justgiving.com/chris-lea