by Graham Tutthill

Three hundred bike riders were given a hero's welcome when they came ashore at Dover today, at the end of a demanding and emotional 320-mile cycle ride across northern France.

The fundraisers, who were joined on their journey by eight Battle Back team members and Help For Heroes founders Bryn and Emma Parry, arrived home aboard Royal Naval landing craft.

They had spent the night on board the command ship HMS Largs Bay which brought them into Dover Harbour.

Dover Mayor and Mayoress Cllrs Sue Jones and Ronnie Philpott joined relatives and supporters as they gathered on the beach to watch them transfer to the landing craft and then come ashore, with a musical salute from a bugler and a piper.

The riders, who set off the previous Monday from Portsmouth, had visited some of the most poignant memorials and towns of the First and Second World Wars, taking part in wreath laying ceremonies and services

They hope to have raised at least £1 million for initiatives that support British troops wounded in current conflicts.

A Spitfire gave a thrilling display over Dover Harbour before the riders came ashore.

And after their landing, the Red Devils parachute team jumped from a plane above the harbour and gave a formation display as they headed for the beach. Most landed in the water.