AN 86-year-old man has died during his attempt to beat his own record for cycling from Land's End to John o' Groats.

The family of Victor Paget has paid tribute to his "noble spirit" after he was killed in an accident in Devon.

Police were called at around 6.30pm on Friday, August 28, to reports that a cyclist had been located unconscious in the middle of Tavistock Road in Okehampton.

Victor, from Warwickshire, sustained serious head injuries at the scene of the incident and was airlifted to Derriford hospital.

Police have since been informed that on Friday, September 4, Victor sadly died in hospital with his family at his bedside.

His family said in a statement: “Vic has been a dedicated cyclist since 1951 when he cycled to Torquay and back from his home in Leamington Spa.

“His highlight was in 2011 when at the age of 77 he cycled alone from Lands End to John o' Groats in 14 days.

“Vic's ambition was to repeat the feat at the age of 86, but in 12 days this time around.

"Unfortunately he has died in a tragic accident, his last living action was pushing the pedals.

"Vic was a noble spirit who will be sadly missed by his family and saluted by fellow cyclists.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Devon Air Ambulance, all the NHS staff at Derriford Hospital Plymouth for looking after Vic with such care and dignity and the Devon and Cornwall Police who have all been tremendous through this tragic event.”

Investigating officers are appealing for any witnesses and anyone with information or relevant dash cam footage to come forward, unless they have already been in contact with officers at the scene.

Anyone who witnessed the incident and anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 846 of August 28, 2020.