A CYCLIST has raised more than £1,500 for charity by biking up the three biggest mountains in Spain.

Alex Coates, a sales manager from Durham, braved temperatures above 30 degrees centigrade to complete the three peaks.

The biggest mountain he conquered was almost 3,500 metres - more than twice as high as Ben Nevis.

Mr Coates was raising money for Care International, which supports healthcare, promotes sustainable agriculture and develops savings and loans schemes in 70 of the world's poorest countries.

Mr Coates said: "This challenge was definitely the hardest thing I have done in my entire life.

"The rough terrain and relentless uphill sections, compounded by the heat and altitude, pushed me right to the limit of my physical exertion.

"The sponsorship money and support back home motivated me to keep going even when things got really tough."

To sponsor Mr Coates, visit www.justgiving.com/ teamwaterstons