A MORETON man has completed an epic 350-mile mountain bike race across Alaska in temperatures of minus 30 degrees centigrade.

Christian Cullinane, aged 36, of Oxford Street, overcame howling gales, equipment failure and knee deep snow to complete the Iditarod Trail Invitational Race.

The father-of-three, whose wife Rebecca is a Pilates instructor, had to cross mountain passes, frozen waterfalls and open water while dealing with sleep deprivation and cold.

The trail is described as the world's "longest human-powered winter race" and is open to a maximum of 50 experienced winter athletes.

Christian, commercial director of Malvern-based global defence experts QinetiQ's consultancy business, said: "It's fair to say that not everything went to plan. Half way through the race I lost a pedal and it being incapable of repair. I had to push the bike for the final 175 miles of the course."

Christian kept friends and family informed of his progress through satellite telephone calls to home, which Rebecca has added to his website www.Cool-Biker.com.

Christian has raised £1,200 for Winston's Wish, the Cheltenham-based child bereavement charity. He would like to achieve a target of at least £1,500, so anyone who would like to make a donation can do so via his website.