THE extraordinary feat accomplished by centenarian Frenchman Robert Marchand has been celebrated by his town’s Tynedale twin.

The 105-year-old made history earlier this month by cycling 22.6 km in an hour.

And the people of Prudhoe have sent their congratulations to M. Marchand in his home town of Mitry-Mory, Prudhoe’s twin town.

The keen cyclist set the first hour record in the over-100s category in 2012 and beat his own record the following year, aged 102.

And on January 4, at the St Quentin-en-Yveline, he cycled 92 laps in a new over-105s category, created just for him.

Chairman of Prudhoe’s town twinning committee Derek Gillespie said: “I’ve met M. Marchand a number of times in Mitry-Mory and he is a real character in the town.

“He is quite amazing, you don’t often see a 105 year old riding a bike. We have sent a message of congratulations over to Mitry-Mory.”

Born on November 26, 1911, M. Marchand still lives independently.

The town twinning committee hopes to congratulate M. Marchand in person later in the year.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of Prudhoe and Mitry-Mory signing their town twinning charter. The French town is planning a celebratory event, and members of the committee hope to see Mr Marchand there.