2,700-mile cycle trip ends in the Bondi surf

A Leukaemia survivor who braved soaring temperatures, a swarm of locusts and narrowly escaped a collision with an out-of-control lorry on a 2,700-mile ride across Australia has completed his epic journey.

Lloyd Scott endured the tough conditions as he rode an antique penny farthing bicycle from Perth to Sydney in 50 days to raise £60,000 for a children's leukaemia charity.

And to celebrate the end of his long ride, the 43-year-old donned his Sherlock Holmes outfit and ceremoniously dumped his bicycle in the sea at Bondi Beach. Mr Scott, from Essex, a former fireman and professional footballer has already completed the London and New York marathons in a vintage diving suit to raise money for the charity.

But his latest journey tested him to the limit as he had close shaves with huge road trains, f lies, snakes ... and the swarm of locusts.

Earlier this week, when he was only 40 miles from his destination, he narrowly escaped death when the tyre of a lorry burst and it slewed across the highway, just missing him. Mr Scott, who has already raised millions for charity, said he hoped his trip would inspire people suffering from leukaemia.

"It's worth the pain because there's a very personal message from me - the fact that I actually had leukaemia."

Mr Scott was diagnosed with the disease while working as a firefighter when he saved two small boys from their blazing home and inhaled toxic smoke. A test then revealed he was suffering from leukaemia.

Before becoming a firefighter, he played League football for Watford and Blackpool.