A former submariner who grew up in Padiham took on the iconic London to Brighton bike ride to raise funds for two charities close to his heart.

Andy Dinsdale, 58, who now works for a defence contractor following an almost 20-year Royal Navy career, raised just under £1,000 for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation and national charity The Submarine Family.

He completed the hilly 55-mile ride in just over four hours.

A former pupil of Padiham Green CE Primary School, Gawthorpe High School (now Gawthorpe Community Academy) and the demolished Habergham Sixth Form Centre, Andy now lives in Hampshire.

He joined the Royal Navy as an apprentice engineer and spent four years working on surface ships before becoming a submariner.  

He regularly visits Lancashire to catch up with his sister Tracy Hallows, who is headteacher at Wheatley Lane Methodist Primary School in Fence, and his dad Frank Dinsdale, 86, who lives in Nelson.

Andy grew up in PadihamFrank also worked as an engineer and is a former Royal Airforce serviceman. In 2015, he became a volunteer for Rosemere Cancer Foundation having undergone successful treatment for both prostate cancer and bowel cancer.

Andy said: “After his treatment, dad dedicated all his time to raising money for Rosemere in an attempt to say thank you for their help.

“Dad was diagnosed shortly after my mum passed away. Staff at Rosemere Cancer Centre provided him with a genuine lifeline and were instrumental in getting him through his difficult times.”

Andy added: “Thank you to everyone who has helped me raise funds for two fantastic charities so that they can continue to help others in need.”