HAMPSHIRE cyclist who was forced to quit the sport when he developed Motor Neurone Disease has got back on the road – with a little help from his friends.

Michael Soper set off from Alresford in a specially-adapted wheelchair pedalled by Carl Gough, a family friend who is raising money for research into the degenerative disease.

Friends and family cheered them on as they travelled 15 miles to Basingstoke on Saturday, joined by fellow cyclists.

"I was very grateful and they made it a really good day," Carl said.

The 27-year-old was originally planning to ride from Land's End to John o' Groats with Michael, who was friends with his mother as a child.

"He got a lot worse a lot quicker than we thought he would do and I wanted to plan something which would get him out," Carl added. "I asked him about this and he loved it.

"I'm not sure what else I can do after that to be honest –it definitely tired me out a lot more than expected!"

The pair enlisted local firm RM Trailers to kit out the wheelchair and attach it to Carl's bike.

Funding and en-route refreshments came from the Alresford Pigs Association, a charity raising money for local people.

Chairman Kevin Burrows said: "They've been close friends for a number of years. Michael was a keen cyclist before he was struck down with Motor Neurone Disease. The idea was to get him back on the bike, albeit he couldn't ride it himself."

Carl and Michael have raised around £800 so far for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, which funds research, awareness campaigns and support for sufferers, families and carers.