Jane Tomlinson will set off again in a few days

The 38-year-old mother-of-three is cycling 1,060 miles from John O'Groats to Land's End to raise money for cancer charities.

Mrs Tomlinson, from Rothwell, arrived in Millennium Square on her tandem with brother Luke Goward for a reception at the Civic Hall.

The pair are halfway through their journey and are stopping in Leeds while Mrs Tomlinson undergoes chemotherapy.

Speaking on BBC's Look North programme, Mr Goward said the response to their charity trip had been "absolutely superb".

He added: "People have been very generous both with their time and their money."

Chemotherapy break

And despite reports suggesting they had found the journey difficult, Mrs Tomlinson said they were having a great time.

"We've enjoyed the whole trip so far. There are some moments when you think 'Oh my God what am I doing here?' but overall it's been so exciting and such an adventure.

Mrs Tomlinson is set to get back in the saddle a few days after her chemotherapy, and says the hardest part will be leaving her family behind.

But she remains upbeat about the challenge ahead, adding: "We're well over halfway."

"We've done over 500 miles and there's only 450-odd to go."

Last year Mrs Tomlinson raised �118,000 for charity taking part in the London Marathon, the Triathlon and the Great North Run.

She has already raised �29,000 in 2003 which will be split between Cancer Research UK, Sport Aided Research for Kids, Leeds Hospital Trust paediatric services and local care centre Hannah House.

Her challenges have won her a number of high profile awards, including The Sunday Times sportswoman of the year and the Helen Rollason award at the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.