A SPONSORED bicycle ride is taking place to raise awareness about a Monmouthshire man who disappeared earlier this year.

Raglan man Mark William Shaw, 26, vanished from his home on March 22.

His car was found abandoned at Pembrokeshire's Whitesands Beach car park the next day.

Monmouth police Sergeant Mike Gray has also organised the sponsored bike ride to raise money for two of the rescue teams who searched for Mr Shaw - the Western Beacons' Mountain Search and Rescue Team and the Royal National Lifeboat Institute. An extensive search for Mr Shaw took place on the Pembrokeshire coast also involving police, coastguard, and the RAF.

The sponsored ride will leave Raglan on Saturday, September 24, and is due to arrive at Whitesands Bay the next day. PCs Nigel Richards and Eddie Roberts and Police Community Support Officer Darren O'Grady will join Sergeant Gray.

"We have organised this ride with the full support of Mark's family as it is an ideal way of keeping his disappearance in the spotlight as well as showing appreciation to the organisations involved in the search," said Sergeant Gray.

"The 130 miles will be a challenge for us as we are not seasoned cyclists but if we can raise some money and awareness about Mark's disappearance every mile will be worth it."

Anyone who wants to sponsor Sergeant Gray and his colleagues can contact him at Monmouth police on 01633 838111.