One of sport's toughest challenges proved no match for the director of a Birmingham PR firm when he completed an Ironman triathlon.

Matt Taylor, who runs city centre agency Headline Communications, finished the gruelling, 140-mile feat in 14 hrs and 10 mins, finishing in 1,032nd place out of 2,000 entrants.

The Ironman UK event in Bolton comprised a 2.4-mile, open-water swim, 112-mile bike ride and marathon.

Mr Taylor took part in the triathlon with two friends and together they have so far raised more than £3,000 for disability charity Scope which is the official nominated charity of Ironman UK.

He has previously done a half Ironman, marathon, numerous triathlons and run in every Birmingham half marathon since it started.

"I enjoy taking on these fitness challenges and pushing my body to the limits," he said.

"I've always been sporty but I really got into endurance sports a few years ago when I did the Great North Run.

"Since then, the events have got more and more extreme, culminating in the Ironman which was definitely the hardest thing I have ever done.

"It was an amazing experience but I doubt I'll be repeating it in a hurry. Knowing we were doing it for charity was a great motivator, particularly during all the early morning training sessions."

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