After more than 500 days and 31,000 miles a former soldier has returned home from a trip around the world on his motorbike.

Aaron Mitchell, from Rochester, sold his household possessions, his car and all of his belongings in order to fund the trip which began in April last year. It cost him about £25,000.

The 34-year-old said: “I am ex-military and when I came home from my last tour things were not great for me and that’s what sparked the trip.”

“I broke up with my ex and then decided, ‘well what’s stopping me, maybe it will help me to get my life back on track’.”

Throughout his travels Aaron visited Columbia, which he describes as “the best country in the world”.

He said: “It is just incredible, it is only just being touched by tourism so it is still so genuine and fresh.

“I have never been to a country that is full of people who are so incredibly happy, people need to see it while it is still in its real element.”

The world trip lasted 505 days, with Aaron travelling 31,098 miles.

He began his epic journey in France, then made his way through Europe to Asia where he ended up in Mongolia.

It was from there he went to South Korea before hopping on a plane to Canada.

Then he rode through the United States down to Argentina before heading home.

There were some mechanical issues with his bike along the way, but the explorer said the trip has taught him so much.

“All these experiences at the time were so frustrating, but now I realise how great they were.

“I have lived and learnt a lot along the way.”