THERE was a rousing welcome for local postie Will Blight as villagers greeted him on his return from a mammoth round-Britain bike ride.

Since May the 34-year-old postman has been peddling his way around the UK coastline at a rate of 36 miles a day.

With a trailer attached to his bike carrying all his supplies and camping equipment Will has lived a solitary existence on the road visiting the furthest reaches of the British mainland and even a few Scottish islands to boot.

It has taken 104 days to cover nearly 4,000 miles - but Will was dreaming of doing it again even as he peddled the final few miles from Swanage to his home in Corfe Castle.

Villagers came out in force to see his triumphant return and give him a welcome home party in the main square.

Now the counting begins to find out how much he has managed to raise for the Swanage Hospital as a result of his Herculean effort.

For the past eight years Will has contented himself with Cycling his post round in the village, then last year he did a 230-mile jaunt around neighbouring counties for fun.

It was on that trip that he was asked if he was doing it for charity and that sparked Will into action to plan this year's coastal trip.

He set off from Corfe Castle on May 9 and has posted regular updates to an internet website during the trip.

Will said: "The headwinds were the biggest difficulty, but of the 104 days I only had rain on about 16 days.

"Cycling is so much better than driving. I have driven in Scotland and in a car it is like watching a place on TV, but on a bike you experience the wind and the outdoors."

He took just six days of rest on the trip and has lost about a stone in weight.

Will decided to raise money for the Swanage hospital because he has used its facilities and knows how appreciated it is as an alternative for Purbeck residents who would otherwise need to travel to Poole or Dorchester.

As his journey ended he said: "I've met a lot of really interesting characters on the trip, and people have collected money for me. I've even had cars driving past and then stopping to give me fivers for the charity."

Will said he would do it all again at the drop of a hat, and is already thinking about how he can refine a repeat trip.

First published: August 24