Young Thomas Hutcheson pedalled nearly 50 miles in support of his eight-year-old twin brother Cameron who suffers from autism.

Thomas, of Drakes Crescent, Chippenham, raised more than £120 for the National Autistic Society.

He raised the money at the British Heart Foundation’s Wiltshire Bike Ride in Seend last month.

He chose the charity because of his brother’s condition. Cameron goes to a special school in Melksham.

His father James said: “We thought it was a really nice idea to raise money for the charity.

“Thomas did really well on the cycle and, apart from stopping for a drink, he went straight through.

“Everyone was coming up to him at the end and saying how well he had done – I think he was quite proud of himself.”

Thomas, who goes to Queen’s Crescent Primary School, is the youngest member of Chippenham Wheelers cycle club.

He had asked his parents for the road bike as a four-month early birthday present.

He cycles with his dad every Sunday and they have slowly built up the distance they cover.

Mum Sarah said: “We are really proud of him, but to be honest he just loves cycling.

“That evening he wanted to go on another cycle ride and it is all he thinks about.

“Sometimes he can’t even sleep at night because he is thinking about cycling.”

Mrs Hutcheson hopes her son’s enthusiasm will encourage other youngsters to get out on their bikes.

She said: “It is him saying to dad ‘come on let’s go’, and dad is the one getting out of puff when they’re out.

“I just think it is great and it shows other children that, if they have a dream or an ambition, they should go for it.”

Around 700 cyclists took part in the annual ride on September 26, raising £25,000 for charity.