Former mayor Isabel Martin-dale is back in Bradford on Avon after cycling across Canada on a bike designed and built in the town.

She got back last Friday afternoon, after spending just over three months on her cycling tour.

Cllr Martindale, who served for two terms as the town’s mayor, was greeted as she cycled into Bradford on Avon by a crowd of fellow councillors, led by current mayor Peter Leach.

They gathered at the Fat Fowl, in Silver Street, which had been decorated with a Welcome Home banner, balloons and bunting.

Cllr Martindale, 65, set off in June, to raise money for Hope for Children, a charity which supports orphaned children in Asia, Africa and the UK.

The former Stonar School teacher started her 4,804-mile ride in Vancouver Island on June 6 and finished in St John’s, Newfoundland, on August 25.

She said: “I’m really pleased to be back and I’d like to thank everyone who has welcomed me so warmly.

“I enjoyed the whole experience of the trip immensely. At times it was, of course, a little intense, but I’m very pleased to have done it.

“Canada is such a very, very hilly country, but I coped pretty well. I’m really enjoying being back though, as I missed these wonderful people who have come out to see me today.”

Cllr Martindale rode a Moulton Jubilee bike, which is based on the AM22 model.

It was customised for her journey along the mountain tracks by being fitted with larger than normal tyres.

Steve Harvey, a spokesman for the Bradford on Avon-based Moulton Bicycle Company, said: “It is a wonderful achievement and we’d like to congratulate Isabel, as well thanking her for riding a Moulton bike.

“We are very impressed with how it performed as hers was the only bike on the journey not to have any mechanical or tyre problems.”

Cllr Martindale has raised £2,000 so far for Hope for Children, and is hoping to double that figure now that she is back home.

During her journey she cycled about 90 miles a day and spent many nights camping.

Throughout the trip she regularly updated her blog, to keep everyone at home up-to-date with her progress.

Town councillor Jonathan Brown said: “Everyone on the town council is very proud of Isabel and what she has done.

“I’ve been reading her blogs regularly and exchanging emails. She’s done ever so well and we are all pleased to have her back.”

To donate to the appeal, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ isabelmartindale