SHINING shoes for money is common in the developing world but is a dying art in Britain.

But Rob Walters, in a quest to return to the lost world of the itinerant worker, drifting from one town to the next in a search of work, has revived the tradition.

With nothing more than a trusty bicycle, one-man tent, spit and polish and a few brushes, Mr Walters set out on a meandering route through central England, stopping off at towns and cities which have a history of shoemaking.

From the flat Fenns of the east to the rolling Cotswolds, Mr Walters has finally made his way to Worcester.

The journey is all in aid of a charity called Street Shine, set up to rescue the homeless and jobless through shoe shine training and employment.

As he cycled into the Faithful City, Mr Walters, who lives in Oxford, said: "I've cycled about 600 miles since leaving home and I've been met by nothing but friendliness. I've kept a log of the hundreds of shoes I've shined but I'm not quite sure how many pints of beer I've drunk."

The idea for the trip came about 18 months ago when Mr Walters, aged 59, was backpacking around the Middle East.

He wondered what it would be like to ply the trade in affluent England.

Send all donations to Shoe Shine Fund, 18 Paradise Square, Oxford OX1 1TW or e-mail rob@satin.co.uk