All men aged 50 or over should take up a prostate cancer screening test with their GP.

That is the message being pedalled by a super-keen cyclist who is taking on numerous, successive, bike rides for charity this year.

Keith Houghton, 54, who was diagnosed with the disease a year ago, is urging all men to ask for the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, a non-invasive blood test that gives an indication of risk.

Because his 78-year-old father was also diagnosed a decade ago doctors were keeping a close eye on Mr Houghton and his abnormality was picked up quickly and is entirely treatable.

“I am lucky, because my father has had it I have been monitored for the last five years. They have picked it up early and are now monitoring it.

“That is one of the reasons I wanted to do what I am doing. I want to urge men my age to get tested.

“My father never went along and by the time he had any symptoms it was too late to treat it.

“People should just go along to their GP and make sure their PSA count is tested. It is not a difficult test and it highlights if you are at risk.

“Mine was gradually going up and I had several biopsies. The last one showed there was a problem.

“I am just being monitored to show how it was progressing.”

Meanwhile Mr Houghton, whose parents live in Bradwell although he now lives in Northampton, has found a passion for cycling.

Having started with a few friends in his home village of Rushton, he tackled a series of club rides and now plans to add more miles to his annual total.

Last year he clocked up some 5000 miles in rides and training - a total he is looking to exceed.

A series of sponsored rides will see him saddling up for an organised bike ride every week from March including London to Geneva, London to Amsterdam, and the UK coast to coast.

He is funding all the rides and all sponsorship will go directly to Prostate Cancer UK.

Mr Houghton, an NCFC season ticket holder, will be meeting up with former school chums from Oriel High School in Gorleston, Tim Howlett and Neil Dyball, for some of the rides including the Tour de Broads.

To find out more visit Mr Houghton’s Facebook page by clicking this link.