Prison workers have rallied around to support a colleague who has been diagnosed with a debilitating illness.

Paul Wharton was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year and has since had to stop work at HMP Rochester.

Five of his colleagues took part in a 86-mile bike ride around Kent’s prisons to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

The four prison officers – Richard Finnigan, Andy Rowett, Paul Martin and Tim Sumner – and prison gardener, Neil Gillespie, raised more than £1,000 for the charity.

The riders were supported by Mr Wharton and Steff Fitzmaurice who followed them around in a car throughout the day.

Mr Rowett, 56, said: “It was really good. We had a couple of mechanical issues but all in all it was very good.

"We had beautiful sunshine all day.

“It wasn’t a walk in the park but it certainly wasn’t too taxing as we had done quite a bit of training.”

The team started off at 7.30am HMP Rochester and rode to Sheppey where they stopped at Standford Hill Prison for breakfast before passing by the other two prisons on the island, Elmley and Swaleside.

From there they headed to East Sutton Park in Sutton Valence and to the former prison at Blantyre House in Goudhurst where they had lunch.

They then headed to Maidstone prison where one of the staff had baked them a cake, then over Blue Bell Hill and back to Rochester for 3.30pm.

Mr Wharton, 51, joined Mr Rowett on a tandem to cycle the final leg past the three prisons along Fort Road, and through the old gatehouse at HMP Rochester.

Upon arrival they were met by colleagues, deputy governor Dawn Mauldon and the Mayor and Mayoress of Medway, Stuart and Sarah Tranter.

Mrs Tranter worked at the prison until her husband became mayor last year.

The couple also presented Mr Rowett with his 30-year service award.