A RETIRED teacher is gearing up to tackle a 1,000-mile charity bike ride up the five highest peaks in the UK and Ireland.

Peter Booth, 63, will set off from his home in Barrowford tomorrow on the two-week challenge.

Mr Booth, a retired former teacher, will climb a total of 17,500 feet on two wheels during his epic adventure.

He said: “I took part in two Three Peaks challenges in 2012 and afterwards I wondered if I could cycle between the mountains, rather than travelling by car.

“When researching this I realised that I could visit the five highest peaks of these islands and so I have set myself the challenge of doing it within about two weeks.

“I’m usually more of a runner – I do a lot of fell running – but I’ve had an injury this year which has meant I’ve done more cycling.

“I have done some cycling in the past as well. I’ve done Lands End to John O’Groats and I rode to Switzerland as part of a team to raise money for a hospice in Warrington.”

Peter’s route will start with an ascent of Mount Snowdon, after which he will board a ferry to Dublin.

The next peak will be Carauntoohill followed by Slieve Donard and then another ferry to Troon. Around June 4, Peter will climb Ben Nevis and he plans to finish on June 8 with Scafell Pike in the Lake District.

He said: “Twelve months ago, I started volunteering on the Day Therapy Unit at Pendleside Hospice – a wonderful place, full of happiness and positive thinkers.

“I look forward to volunteering there each Thursday.

“The hospice is so reliant on voluntary donations, I thought I’d try to do my bit.”