An air traffic controller who grew up in Whitton is cycling the 100-mile Prudential RideLondon-Surrey course in aid of Help for Heroes.

Kris Jackson grew up in Whitton Way, Whitton, and attended Whitton School (now Twickenham Academy), before recently moving up to Aberdeenshire.

It was only after leaving London, where he worked at Heathrow, for the rolling countryside of Aberdeenshire, where he works at Aberdeen Airport, that he really got the cycling bug.

The 32-year-old father-of-two said: "When I moved up there I realised there was all this open space to explore, which inspired me to get out on my bike."

Mr Jackson aims to raise £1,000 for Help for Heroes, which supports members of the armed forces and their families, by completing the race on Sunday, August 10.

He said he had chosen to support the charity because his grandfather and uncle both served in the Army and his cousin is a member of the Royal Marines stationed in Afghanistan.

An estimated 20,000 cyclists will be taking part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey race, including Ealing resident Peter Treadgold, who is taking on the challenge in memory of his best friend who died after having a stroke.

* You can sponsor Mr Jackson at www.bmycharity.com/KrisJackson or by texting EGPD81 £3 (or £5) to 70070.