Having clocked up more than 50,000 miles during 75 years in the saddle, William Wagstaff has decided to hang up his bicycle clips for good.

The 95-year-old, who lived in Shirley, has donated his prized possession to London's Transport Museum after riding it almost every day since he bought the bicycle in 1929.

Mr Wagstaff paid £14 his entire savings to buy the bicycle from F W Evans in south-east London on May 14, 1929, when he was 20 years old.

Nine years later he married his wife Gladys and moved to Shirley. During World War Two he used the bicycle to ride the 12 miles to and from Bermondsey telephone exchange, where he worked as an engineer.

Mr Wagstaff, who fondly refers to the bicycle as Evans', after its makers, also gave the museum the bicycle's saddlebag, tool kit and original Black Lucas Silver King oil lamp, which is still masked with hand made black out paper.

The bicycle remains in perfect working order despite its many miles.

As a member of the Cyclists Touring Club for many years, Mr Wagstaff rode Evans to destinations around the country from Cornwall to the Isle of Man, totting up more than 50,000 miles and getting through three saddles and 15 sets of tyres.

Mr Wagstaff spent many hours looking after his bike and wanted it to go to a good home.

His daughter, Jan Hibbard, 65, said: "Even into his 90s he used it two or three times a week. But a car knocked him off and upset his confidence."

The London Transport Museum, which begins a major redevelopment this year, plans to use Mr Wagstaff's story to reflect the earlier, more genteel age of travel.

Curator Robert Excell said: "It's remarkably well preserved, partly because they made them out of stronger steel in those days and partly because Mr Wagstaff soaked everything in oil to preserve it.

"It's a real gem."