A CHARITY cyclist is riding an incredible 2,000 miles from Worcester to Greece to raise money.

Peter Bishton owns a house in Lesbos, Greece, and decided last year to cycle there to raise funds for two charities - Fresh Fire Ministries, which helps children in northern Uganda, and Swanirvar, which tackles poverty in rural West Bengal.

"Last year, I thought I would like to cycle out there then I thought why not try and raise some money while I'm doing it'," he said.

"People hear about it and think it's crazy but when you think people ride to Beijing and that's about 8,000 miles, riding through Europe is a doddle by comparison."

Mr Bishton said his second cousin's son was running an orphanage in Uganda and he had contact with a representative for Swanirvar, so he knew the money would be going to good causes.

"I was very keen to do it for smaller charities. If you do it for bigger charities it's very impersonal and you have no idea where the money is going," said the 58-year-old, of Diglis Court, Diglis, Worcester.

Mr Bishton is planning to start his ride on Monday, April 30.

"Very roughly, I am going down to Newhaven, across on the ferry to Dieppe and then from there to the Loire Valley. When I get down to that area I will make a decision whether I go down the Cote d'Azur or go over the Alps," he said.

"And then I'll go down through Italy to one of the ports, probably Ancona or Brindisi, then across to Patras, then to Athens.

"I'm hoping to get the bulk of the mileage done in the mornings, then start looking for a campsite."

Mr Bishton is organising sponsorship and thinking about setting up a website.

"I have got no idea how much I will raise," he said.

"It's just great to feel you're helping people."