TWO former North-East detectives are preparing to cycle from coast to coast in memory of a colleague who died of a brain tumour.

But instead of the popular C2C charity route across 140 miles of Northern England, Alan Penman and Bill Crosby face America's gruelling 3,800-mile version.

The pair challenged themselves to the ride as a way of paying tribute to popular and respected colleague, Detective Constable Paul Richardson, and to raise money in his name on behalf the Brain and Spine Foundation.

The father-of-two, from Darlington, was 45 when he died of a brain tumour in January last year.

The three men had worked together in police stations across south Durham and Det Con Richardson was commended 13 times by chief constables and a further two times posthumously.

Mr Penman, 59, from Sedgefield, said: "It was awful when Paul died, to find out he had a brain tumour was a big shock to everyone who knew him. He was a lovely man.

"When we decided to do something in his memory, we wanted a big challenge, something different and this will be tough physically and mentally."

The pair start their journey on June 4 and over 52 days will ride from San Francisco to Portsmouth, in New Hampshire, crossing 13 states.

Mr Crosby, 52, from Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, said: "We thought it would be nice to do something for the Brain and Spine Foundation in Paul's memory.

"We hope to raise people's awareness of brain and spine conditions and have set a fundraising target of £10,000 to help the charity investigate why 600,000 people a year develop brain disorders.

"We've lots of fundraising events planned before the trip and are looking for more sponsors."

Mr Penman and Mr Crosby have won the support of Prime Minister Tony Blair, who wished them luck when they visited his Sedgefield constituency home, Myrobella, last month, with Det Con Richardson's family.

Widow Jill Richardson, 45, said: "I think it is marvellous and admire Bill and Alan very much.

"I hope they manage to complete the ride. Paul would have loved to do something like that because he enjoyed all outdoor activities - and will probably be watching and shouting them along."

To sponsor Mr Penman and Mr Crosby visit www.justgiving.com/AlanPenmanBillCrosby.