AMPUTEES from across the country joined a Flintshire man on his 70 mile charity bike-ride along North Wales' coast.

Phil Bousfield, of Sychdyn, led 25 cyclists from Chester to Llandudno, in aid of the Limbless Association (LA) for which Phil is an ambassador.

Video and images by Rick Matthews

The 43-year-old trained by doing up to 40-miles a week in preparation for the cycle at the weekend, and is dedicated to raising funds for the charity which provides support for amputees across the UK.

Phil had a below-the-knee amputation on his right leg many years ago due to club foot.

Phil is also a former wheelchair rugby player for Wales and Great Britain - despite spending most of his childhood unable to participate in sports due to the pain of his club foot.

The father-of-two decided to get on the bike after recovering from his operation which "changed his life."

Last year, Phil completed a bike ride from Deeside to Chester, but this year felt he could give more of a push to the LA charity he feels so passionately about.

Phil said: "The ride was fantastic, but I was a bit sore on Sunday. Overall there were 25 of us, and lots of my friends and family came to support. Around five children cycled with us for the last four miles, which was great.

"A double-amputee lady from Cardiff came up for the ride, and a lad from Yorkshire did it on a hand-bike - obviously he can't use his legs, so uses a specialist bicycle, and he brought one of his friends along too.

"The weather was nice, really good. It was challenging and we had to stop a few times when my leg got sore, but the support was fantastic."

Phil said although he had put hard work into training, the last two or three miles were very difficult.

He said: "If it wasn't for Marsh Tracks in Rhyl with their closed circuit road cycling track, and the Bike Bar in Llandudno, I couldn't have done it."

Phil added the money raised will go directly towards the LA which helps with rehabilitation, support, and day-to-day care for those who have lost limbs.