A man who cycled from Liverpool to Chester and back through the Mersey Tunnel has raised £2,000.

Neil Duncan, 49, from Douglas, completed the challenge to raise money for charities that have helped his niece Tia, who has a brain tumour.

Tia, aged seven, who also lives in Douglas, was diagnosed with two cysts and a brain tumour and was flown to Liverpool for an operation in January.

Her grandfather Chris said: ’During our time at Alder Hey Hospital, we could not help but notice donation cheques that were on display.

’Neil decided that he would like to help raise some money for Alder Hey and also Rebecca House [the children’s hospice] in the island.

’Having recently taken up cycling, he decided to enter the Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool cycle event and started training in the evenings and at weekends.’

The 50-mile challenge sees riders enter the Birkenhead Tunnel to cross under the Mersey before a loop through north Cheshire, crossing back under the river and finishing in front of the Liver Buildings by Pier Head.

Chris said that Tia was still travelling from the Isle of Man to Liverpool and undergoing treatment.

Neil added that he would like to thank family, friends and work colleagues and various generous people that donated and helped with collecting.