A MAN from Upton-upon-Severn is entering the final stages of his preparations to walk and cycle hundreds of miles around Scotland this summer with just his dog for company.

Malcolm Murray is fund-raising for the Polio Fellowship and, along with his faithful Yorkshire Terrier Hoochie Coochie Man, plans to walk and cycle through the Scottish Highlands from Inverness to John O'Groats.

The 62-year-old, who had polio as a child, said he was grateful to everyone who had helped him so far. "Richard Branson has offered to find us the trains because we will be going by Virgin Trains to get up to Inverness where we start," he said.

"We have also had donations for a little sleeping bag for my dog and somebody's donated a tent because we will be sleeping under canvass a lot.

"The Scottish Youth Hostel Association also said if we need a hostel we can stay with them."

Mr Murray, a veteran fund-raiser who recently helped to raise £11,000 for the Parkinson's Disease Society on a walk around Spain, said he would be starting his journey around Scotland on Sunday, June 1.

He said he hopes to finish by Saturday, August 16.