Aston Villa fan Mike Stevens has completed his epic charity run, making his way from Gloucestershire to his Melksham home.

Mr Stevens, 30, took up the challenge to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and Bowel Cancer UK, charities close to his heart after his grand-mother died of leukaemia, and he was found to have ulcerated colitis. Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov is also fighting acute leukaemia.

He left his grandparents’ home in Quedgeley, Glouce-stershire on Tuesday morning and spent the night in Tetbury, before running home on Wednesday.

He said: “The first day, I finished it in four hours 17 minutes; the second in six hours 36. But I knew the second day was going to be hard work. When I woke up, my legs were fine; it was just my knees and right achilles [tendon] that were suffering.

“I hit the wall around the Chippenham area, coming back, but I had great help from the people that were with me.”

By running the 40-mile route, Mr Stevens, who works for AB Gerrish sand and gravel merchants, has already raised more than £1,200 in sponsorship. More money is still expected to come in.

He said: “All my colleagues from work were stood outside, with a banner and balloons, to celebrate when I crossed the finish line.

“It’s exceeded my expectations totally. I am extremely happy and grateful to the people who helped me out over the couple of days.”