A DARING photographer is taking on a mammoth cycling challenge to raise money to help cancer patients.

Kieran Shutts, 25, will be riding 1,449 miles from his home town Clacton to the historic city of Pompeii in Italy in a bid to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

His route will take him on the ferry at Harwich and across to Holland, through Germany, to France and across the unforgiving Swiss Alps.

Mr Shutts said: "I was sitting at home one day and I looked at myself and realised I was getting a bit chunky.

"I thought to myself, what can I do to help myself whilst helping out others?

"I had a look online and decided I wanted to do something for Macmillan Cancer Support.

"Cancer is a huge thing which affects most people's lives and I thought I would do something for the charity.

"There were 60 mile bikes rides and 100 mile bike rides but I thought I might as well go a bit further."

The former Clacton Coastal Academy pupil is not an experienced cyclist and although he was a keen sportsman, he suffered a serious rugby injury which hindered his playing career.

However, with the help of Clacton's Physical Limits Gym, who are providing free training and sponsoring the ride, he is getting in the saddle for the biggest physical challenge of his life.

Mr Shutts, who said he knows from experience the devastating affects of cancer, said: "I used to BMX when I was 15 or 16 but I haven't done it much since.

"I am into sports but I broke my back playing rugby and I have had to cut down on it since then. I broke a vertebrae and fractured my coccyx.

"I am doing the ride to help myself as well as the charity."

Mr Shutts, who runs his own photography business, has given himself 30 days to complete the challenge, but hopes he can do it in less.

He will be filming video blogs and updating a Facebook page with his progress after the ride kicks off on August 25.

"I am really excited, I think it will be a good experience," he said.

"I am looking forward to seeing how much money I can raise.

"My target is to raise £5,000 which might be a bit optimistic but the more we get the better.

"If we raised £2,000 I will be very happy and it will really make a difference."

Visit www.facebook.com/kieransride to donate or find out more.