DRESSED for the worst Britain's winter weather can throw at him, Sam Skinner is hoping for a warm Lydney welcome when he reaches the town on a route march from Pembroke to Stevenage next January.

Sam's epic 264 mile hike begins at Pembroke Dock on January 4. He is planning to spend the night in Lydney on January 13.

He will be rattling his bucket for three charities – Elton John's Aids Foundation, the Motor-Neurones Disease Association and the YMCA.

"I'll let you know times nearer the date but at the moment I'm planning to walk all day and arrive at Lydney in the evening and leave the following morning," he said.

More details of Sam's charity walk are available at http://www.justgiving.com/teams/epic-walk">www.justgiving.com/teams/epic-walk