A Kent motorcyclist has escaped death after an armed gang opened fire, knocking him from his bike as he tries to circumnavigate Africa in an amazing charity ride.

Spencer Conway, from Biddenden, fell foul of three heavily armed bandits as he negoitated dangerous territory between Marsabit and Isiolo in Kenya.

Writing in an e-mail to his family, Mr Conway said: "I was about 10km out of the village when three Boran Shiftas started shooting at me.

"They hit the back wheel and I came off. "I quickly got back on as they were running down the hill to get me. "I drove away and continued for about 20 minutes.

"I checked the bike. The left side pannier was completely ruined from the fall and back brake calibre and tyre were shot away."

Mr Conway's extraordinary adventure - which started from his native village in November and will see him travel across 28 countries and cover 24,000 miles in aid of Save The Children - has already seen him fall victim to vandals in Egypt, being stopped by armed soliders and stranded in the desert.

~ Visit Spencer's Africa Bike Adventure website >>>