TRIATHLETE Dave Clamp completed one of the most extraordinary fundraising challenges in the history of East Cheshire Hospice as a tribute to a team-mate.

Dave, a personal trainer, swam 2.4 miles, cycled 112 miles and ran a marathon - every day for 20 days in a row.

He set a new world record winning the ultra-distance Ironman race, known as a Double Deca, in the Swiss Alps, beating his nearest rival by 23 hours.

Dave is from Oakmere, and a member of Knutsford Tri Club.

His superhuman efforts were in memory of Dr Clive Reading, from Tytherington, Macclesfield, who died a year ago and was a fellow member of Knutsford Tri Club.

Dr Reading, 70, a renowned consultant clinical pyschologist, had a brain tumour in August 2015, weeks before he was hoping to complete his first Ironman challenge with Dave in Barcelona.

Dave, 57, raised £1,710 from his endeavours, with the proceeds being split between the hospice where Clive was a patient, and Brain Tumour Research.

Dave said: "Clive was a popular and highly respected member of our club, and to win this event in his honour was a special and emotional occasion.

“I wanted to give up after four or five days, but the amazing support and encouragement from his family and friends spurred me on."

Dave was a member of the elite GB triathlon team as a youngster.

He said: “I was hopeless at PE at school, and was the one who never got picked for school teams, but now I've got world records to my name through perseverance and determination."

A veteran of some 200 Ironman races, Dave won a similar 10-day event in Mexico in 2015. Last month the Knutsford Tri Club held the inaugural Clive Reading memorial 10-kilometre race in Tatton Park.

East Cheshire Hospice serves Macclesfield, Buxton, Congleton, High Legh, High Peak, Knutsford, Poynton, Wilmslow and the surrounding areas.

Brain Tumour Research is seeking to fund a network of seven dedicated research centres while challenging the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in brain tumour research.