EIGHT cyclists from QinetiQ in Malvern have returned after a 400-kilometre fundraising trip across Nepal.

The team overcame problems caused by political unrest to complete the journey from Kathmandu to Lumbini, which has raised more than £10,000 for charity.

Team leader John Proudlock was joined by QinetiQ colleagues Pete Calvert, Graham Dean, Chris Lyddon, Janine Morley, Steve Robson, Maghin Tamil-arisan and Anita Tye.

Also taking part were four cyclists from the Brigade of Gurkhas Nepal (BGN), which provided logistical support for the trip, and two from the Ministry of Defence.

The Maoist insurgency disrupting the country caused the expedition some problems.

"We cycled along roads closed down by Maoist actions, which was strange, but safe," said Mr Proudlock.

"The abduction of the BGN's chief of staff 80 kilometres from our location on day two was more of an issue.

"Fortunately that was quickly resolved, but if it had happened before the event started, the BGN would probably have pulled their support. We were lucky the event went ahead."

The group also had to face road closures caused by strike action and landslips.

Mr Proudlock said the trip was a very interesting experience.

He said: "A year ago this event was a pipe dream and now, 12 months later, 14 cyclists have gone out there and done it. Everyone gave it their best shot and it was a really interesting - if hard - trip."

Mr Proudlock was a teacher in Boudhanath, near Kathmandu, in 2001 and was so appalled by the poverty affecting a large part of the population that he was inspired to raise funds to help.

The money raised by the team will go to the Esther Benjamins Trust, a children's charity that operates in Nepal.

Mr Proudlock said: "We don't know the exact total we have raised, but it will be over £10,000. Our QinetiQ colleagues have been really, really generous and on behalf of all the cyclists I'd like to say thank you."