WHEN former soldier Paul Northey was told by his doctor to walk more he really took the advice to heart.

The 55-year-old from Monmouth completed a 1,000-mile trek from John O'Groats to Land's End and has already raised £3,000 for the Help for Heroes charity.

Mr Northey is also trying to raise awareness of the help available for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

He developed the condition after serving with the Royal Engineers which included tours of Northern Ireland.

He said: "Last year 50 ex-servicemen with PTSD killed themselves but there is help out there.

"I received help from the Veterans' Agency and went to the doctor who was able to get me the help I needed."

Mr Northey started the walk in the wettest summer week in Scottish history and walked the last 250 miles with a damaged foot.

He said: "When I got to Monmouth, in my rush to see my wife, I increased the number of miles I was doing and as I result I damaged my heel.

"The last 250 miles to Land's End was agony and I was taking very strong painkillers."

He said wife Lorraine and mum Sheila had been "fantastic".

Mr Northey said he was planning to write to everyone who helped him during the eight-week adventure.

He said: "The British public have been fantastic. I had help from farmers, hotels, old ladies who gave me money and truckstops who gave me food.

"It was tough – I walked every day without a break – and I wouldn't want to do it again but it was great."

When he returned to Monmouth, Stuart and Holly Jones of the May Hill pub threw a homecoming party and a team from the Hairforce 1 barbers in Chepstow sorted out his hair growth.

He said: "I didn't shave during the walk because it was a pain but Mehmet and the team shaved me and then I did the ice bucket challenge."

Mr Northey also thanked stallholders at Monmouth Market who supported a Help for Heroes stall during the walk.

Donations can still be made by visiting www. bmycharity.com/PaulNorthey.