Cocksparrow Street resident Trevor Smith was more than half way towards completing the three-day coast to coast challenge with his son-in-law, grandson and three work colleagues two years ago when a freak accident involving another cycle left him in hospital for two weeks.

The other members of his party completed the sponsored ride, but with a fractured skull, broken ribs, punctured lung and broken collarbone, it was months before Mr Smith was fit and able to ride again.

Now the retired Dennis Eagle worker is preparing to complete the ride he began on May 10, 2006. Mr Smith said: "I felt pretty rough and pretty disappointed with myself for not being able to complete it. It would be very good for me to say I have finished."

Mr Smith, who had suffered major heart attacks in 1999, was riding in aid of the British Heart Foundation. Although his fellow riders completed the course and collected more than £600 in sponsorship, it had originally been Mr Smith's idea, so he wanted to finish what he started.

He admits he first got back on a bike with "some trepidation" and that the fractured skull initially affected his balance. But Mr Smith now feels he is back to full fitness and will set out on September 5 to cycle the remaining 55 miles with his son-in-law Tony Hughes and grandson Michael Hughes as well as former Dennis Eagle workmates.

The 68-year-old said: "I just want to get it done. I'm quite looking forward to it. But I'll be taking it very steady this time."

Mr Smith's daughter Karen Hughes said she was apprehensive about her father doing the ride again but said once he had a goal in mind he became determined to achieve it.

She said: "After the accident he was devastated he couldn't cross the finish line. Even on the day it happened he said he was going to go back and do it. My husband and my son will be with him and have promised they are going to take it a bit slower this time."