THE Offa's Dyke Path is 177 miles long and one 28-year-old is walking it to raise money for a charity which helped his father battle cancer.

Sean Connell is walking the path in sections to raise money for Cancer Research UK, starting at Chepstow and ending in Prestatyn.

He has already walked about 70 miles and hopes to finish it before July next year.

His dad, Paul, was head of science at John Kyrle High School in Ross-On-Wye when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in August 2003. He also taught at The Hereford Academy.

Mr Connell said: "Last year they succeeded in shrinking the size of the tumour and I'm happy to say he [his dad Paul] has just turned 60.

"Cancer has been a big part of my life, affecting my family and friends, as it has for millions of others.

"As he has had this condition, treatments have developed and improved so much due to cancer research and it just shows how much that funding can help.

"He said to me just the other day that the money I'm raising won't go to help him but may benefit younger people in the future who have a similar condition to him."

Mr Connell was a carer for his dad for couple of years and went with him to his chemotherapy appointments at the Macmillan Renton Unit at Hereford County Hospital.

He will be personally matching a percentage of the donations to Cancer Research UK, and also sharing it between three other charities; the local food bank, the Actors' Benevolent Fund and The British Red Cross.

Mr Connell currently lives in London and works for a swimming school as an account and marketing manager.

He is aiming to complete the walk before his brother Ben's wedding in July.

His mum, Michele, is a special needs teacher and a carer for his father.

Mr Connell said: "I grew up in Herefordshire so in a way this first part of the journey has felt like I'm walking through the countryside I grew up in."

To sponsor him go to www.justgiving.com/SCOD-2015.