CYCLIST Ed French is heading for Spain to raise money for a cancer charity using pedal power.

He aims to raise £3,000 for Cancer Research UK after deciding to go for the 1,100-mile journey while cycling around Dorchester.

Mr French said: "My wife Stella and I are always going out to Spain whenever we can and I'm a keen cyclist.

"We were out on our bikes riding round West Stafford, and I said to her I reckon I could cycle down to Spain and I'll do it for charity.

"She nearly fell off her bike, but I'm sure I can do it."

Mr French, who lives at Syward Close in Dorchester, describes himself as a superfit 62-year-old.

He said: "It will mean riding about 100 miles a day, and I'm sure I can do that.

"The only thing is this will be in July and August so it's going to be sweltering - 35 degrees or more."

He sets out from his workplace at RNAS Yeovilton on July 31 to cycle to Portsmouth for the ferry to St Malo.

His route will take him down the west side of France and down through Spain to Javea, a town on the Costa Blanca, south of Valencia.

Mr French said: "We've been going there for years and that seemed to be the best place to finish. I'll actually end the journey outside a cycle shop in the port of Javea near the seafront."

He said he wanted to raise money for the charity after Stella's father and a friend - a 33-year-old Royal Navy physical training instructor - both died from cancer.

Mr French, an avionics engineer, said: "One in three people get cancer at some point in their lives - that's why I want to help with my one-man challenge."

His wife will provide back-up en route and they hope to be able to enjoy the view as they go.

The couple would like to hear from anyone who could let them borrow a van with air conditioning for the journey. And they would also like to hear from anyone who would like to sponsor the cycle ride. Call Mr French on 01305 261767 or go to www.justgiv ing.com/edfrench for details.