MORE than 40 friends of a keen cyclist who was killed in a collision with a lorry earlier this year braved the rain and mud on Sunday, completing a 50km mountain bike ride to celebrate what would have been his 50th birthday.

Gary Kelly, from Harnham, died in June this year after being struck by a lorry near Coombe Bissett during a weekend cycle ride.

The 50km off-road bike ride started at Wilton Fire Station and followed a route through Grovely Woods and the Chalke Valley.

It was organised by Dan Webb, who was cycling with Mr Kelly on the Saturday he died.

Mr Kelly’s friends are planning to place a memorial oak bench in the grounds of Salisbury Cathedral.