BIKER Wayne Houghton and his wife Coreen are gearing up for a marathon John O' Groats to Land's End ride to raise funds for Help for Heroes.

The couple, from Drybrook, are setting off on July 30 and are hoping Foresters will give them some support through their Bmycharity.com site.

Training for the ride has seen Wayne, a school caretaker, lose five stone in a year.

"I was a right porker. But cycling every day and training at the gym means I've lost five stone and my waist size has gone from a 40 to a 34. It feels brilliant."

Regular cycling has put the couple in good shape for the 920 mile ride, which they aim to complete in just eight days."

Wayne said they've had fantastic support from Forest businesses, with Drybrook Rugby Club paying for their T-shirts and sponsorship from Mothy Scaffolding, A W Parker Coal, Garden Tractor Services and Doodle Wear of Cinderford among others.

To find out more go to Bmycharity.com and tap in Wayne Houghton.