A MAN originally from the North-East has completed an 8,000km motorbike challenge.

Chris Prickett was one of just 14 bikers to successfully tackle this year’s Budapest to Bamako rally.

Participants must travel 8,141km from Budapest, Hungary, to Banjul, Gambia, taking everything they need to survive with them on their bike.

Mr Prickett rode for 16 days, sometimes for up to 20 hours a day.

In addition, he rode for four days beforehand to reach Budapest from where he now lives near Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.

He completed the challenge on his 2001 Honda Transalp bike on Sunday (February 9) and got home on Wednesday.

The 45-year-old, who was born and brought up in Durham City, said his favourite moments were meeting people in remote places and times with rally rivals.

For further details, visit budapestbamako.org