Longtime friends will find out if two is better than one when they cycle 54 miles for charity on a tandem.

Leigh French and Matthew Valentine will take on the London to Brighton ride for the British Heart Foundation on Sunday, June 16.

The duo have known each other for 16 years.

They work at the same security firm in Aylesford and cycle regularly around the Island together.

They have an added incentive to raise money as Mr French’s dad and Mr Valentine’s grandmother both have pacemakers.

As for whose idea it was to take part in a team, Mr French said: “To be fair I’m not quite sure. All great ideas start at a pub and that’s where this started at the Conservative Club [Sheerness].”

The 25-year-old, of Fleetwood Close, Minster, added: “It just seemed like a challenge. I wanted to give something back.

“Every year I set myself a goal and this year I hadn’t set myself any so I thought I would do this.”

A friend from Cambridge gave them the bike after he intended to use it last year in the same ride but was not able to.

The pair have been practising on the Island, stepping up their mileage gradually from six miles to nine.

Mr French explained the bike can be both a blessing and a curse. He said: “You get some funny looks from people when you get on that thing, I tell you.

“It took us about 10 minutes to even get going because we couldn’t get the balance when you get away and you have to take corners very wide.

“But there are times when Matthew is cycling and my legs are just going round and it gives you motivation and keeps you going as well."

Mr Valentine, 25, of Maple Street, Sheerness said: “Going up a hill, you are not just pulling yourself up, but the other guy as well. It’s difficult.”