A MONMOUTHSHIRE couple are making final preparations before they start the gruelling ride from Lands End to John O'Groats.

Richard and Tracey Shaw from Caldicot will be setting off on June 22 to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and St Annes Hospice, Newport.

The route chosen will be just over 1000 miles and the pair will be averaging 75 miles each day.

They have been training regularly since Christmas and last weekend they covered a distance of 240 miles in preparation.

Mr Shaw, 51, said: "We will be doing it no matter what the weather is like as we are determined to do it."

The duo are funding the trip themselves so that every penny donated will go to the charities.

Their inspiration to keep on pedalling will be Miss Shaw's dad, Les Hicks, who passed away last December. He was a keen supporter of MacMillian Cancer Support and had suffered from prostrate cancer for many years.

Mrs Shaw has not attempted anything like this before, but she is optimistic as training has been going well and luckily they have sustained no injuries.

They hope to raise £2,000 for their effort and already have £500 in pledges.

To support the couple visit the website, www.justgiving.com/Richard-Shaw6 Alternatively to support St Annes Hospice please phone Richard or Tracey to pledge a donation on 07900268901 or 01291 424771.