A 70-year-old cyclist has paid a visit to older people so they can sign a 90th birthday card for the Queen.

Terry Keen, from Surrey, popped into Anchor’s Beatty Court in Dammas Lane on Friday so that residents living there and from the local community could sign the card.

Tenants lined the entrance to the property to cheer on Terry after he completed the latest leg of his 1,400-mile journey across England.

As well as collecting more than an estimated 3,000 signatures on the specially-designed birthday card, charity cyclist Terry is asking people to make donations to charity Grandparent Plus.

The charity has revealed there are 340 children in Swindon being raised by grandparents and other family members because their parents are unable to do so, often as a result of difficult family circumstances.

Terry is visiting 90 properties run by Anchor whose patron is the Queen’s cousin, Princess Alexandra.

He has now travelled to Chippenham and is making his way to Bristol and Plymouth, aiming to reach Helston in Cornwall on May 9.

He will then travel to London to hand in the card to Buckingham Palace.

Leading the welcoming party at Beatty Court was tenant Joan “Jo” Evans, who said everyone wanted to attend the welcome party for Terry.

Jo, who has attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace and is a great supporter of the royal family, said: “It’s really something that Terry is travelling around the whole of England to bring this birthday card for older people and Anchor staff to sign.

"It means so much to us because we all think very highly of Her Majesty.”

Pensioner Terry, whose wife, Jacquie, is at home while he completes this tour, said he had been touched with the welcome he had received at all the properties he had visited.

Terry, who has been on the road since March 14, said: “It has been very tiring cycling all this way and I have many more miles to go but knowing it’s for a good cause and the cheers I’ve received at different Anchor care homes and retirement properties has really spurred me on.

“I really admire the Queen for all her hard work and for being such a wonderful ambassador for the country.

"I wanted to give something special to her on her 90th birthday so thought why not a birthday card signed by older people from across the country?

“The Queen and I are both grandparents so it seemed relevant to raise money for Grandparents Plus which is such a worthwhile charity.

“The card is also a good way for older people across the country to feel part of this national celebration – not many other people will have signed a birthday card that has travelled around England and will be read by the Queen!”

Anyone wanting to donate to Grandparents Plus or find out about Tour de Terry can go to www.anchor.org.uk/Terry or follow him on Twitter with the hashtag: #TourDeTerry