Charity cyclists arrive in China

The pair have raised more than £5,000 for Cancer Research UK

A Berkshire couple cycling to the Far East and back for charity have reached China - and now plan to head home.

Richard Mason, 35, and Kat Wilkinson, 28, have covered 6,890 miles (11,088km) through 20 countries to reach Beijing, spending nine months on the road.

They have also raised £5,000 for Cancer Research, in memory of Ms Wilkinson's mother who died three years ago.

The Caversham couple, who set off in June 2006 after being made redundant, will now begin the long journey home.

'Tough times'

Mr Mason said: "On reaching China, it would be fair to say that although we've had some extremely tough times, we've met with some amazing hospitality and friendliness throughout our journey.

"We are both extremely proud of our achievement, which was far tougher - both physically and mentally - than we had thought it would be.

"Our main mission is now complete and we are heading back to Reading."

He said the hardest cycling was through Turkey and India, due to mountainous terrain and scorching temperatures, and they faced language barriers and poor driving during the epic journey.

The couple now plan to fly, cycle and travel by ferry back to the UK, and expect to be home by June.