A POLICE officer is swapping pounding the beat for pumping pedals as he embarks on a gruelling stage of the Tour de France.

Amesbury PCSO Will Todd, along with Tim Bunt, who works at the police station, will be getting on their bikes to take part in the 112-mile Étape du Tour on July 18.

The cycling adventure starts at Pau and finishes at Col du Tourmalet, encompassing three Pyrenean mountains and ascending more than 4,000 metres.

The road to the top of the Col du Tourmalet is 23km uphill, and every year thousands of competitors find themselves unable to complete the event.

Mr Bunt said: “For Will and I we are in no doubt this will be the most gruelling physical challenge of our lives and would like to raise money for Help for Heroes to make all the training worth while.”

They are hoping to raise £2,000 for the charity, which helps servicemen wounded in current conflicts. To sponsor them, visit www.justgiving.com/Tim-Bunt.