THE GRANDSON of a former mayor of Leominster is hoping for support from the town as he passes through during his nine day Ride Across Britain for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Martin Brown, 45, will cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats from September 8 to September 16 and hopes to raise £2,200 for the charity.

The route will see Martin pass through Herefordshire on day three of the challenge as he cycles from Bath to Ludlow when he will travel through Hereford and on to Leominster.

Cycling through Leominster during the gruelling challenge will be particularly special for the engineer as the town is closely linked to his family as Martin's grandmother Elizabeth 'Betty' Brown was mayor of Leominster.

The aerospace engineer will cycle 976 miles and complete 15,800 metres of climbing in nine days and he has been cycling up down the Malvern Hills to prepare for the hills he will face during the challenge.

Martin said: "My main concerns are the weather; critically wind and rain, and how they will impact the already challenging route. Sleeping, or not, in tents with 800 other people will also be an interesting experience so eye masks, warm socks and ear plugs will be essential; mosquitoes, as apparently they are rife in Scotland this time of year, and how my not so young body, and not so young bike will hold up."

Martin was inspired to undertake the challenge for Macmillan after his close friends lost their baby son to the disease.

To sponsor Martin in his challenge, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martin-brown40