A RECRUITMENT guru is proving he is up to the job by clocking up more than 40 miles a day cycling to and from work - all in the name of charity.

Joe Reed has taken on the challenge for the whole of November, leaving for SER Ltd, in Simonstone, at 6.30am every morning.

The 25-year-old, who lives in Eaves Lane, Chorley, said he was inspired to raise money for charity after watching the Pride of Britain Awards on television.

Mr Reed has worked at SER, in Time Technology Park off Blackburn Road, for three years, and admitted his boss had been 'very cool' about the gruelling commute.

He said: "It is pretty tiring and sometimes I wonder what I'm doing getting up so early when it's cold and wet and miserable.

"My average time is about one hour 50 minutes although my best was one hour 41 minutes. It depends on the conditions really.

"I'm taking on a lot of carbohydrates at lunchtime so I don't get tired. Everyone at work has been really good about it and it hasn't affected my performance at all."

Mr Reed, who will clock up more than 800 miles on the bike this month, hopes to raise £1,000 for Cancer Research UK.

He chose the charity after losing his own uncle to cancer 19 years ago.

He said: "In 1995, when I was six, my uncle Dave was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 35 and despite theatre and treatment, he sadly died only eight months after diagnosis.

"Seven years later in 2002, my grandpa became ill and was eventually diagnosed with lung cancer. He died after only a few months. I am so sad that I never really got to know either of them as an adult and am also sad that I never even met my grandma, who died of ovarian cancer before I was born.

"I am not far off being clinically obese and most probably the laziest person you have ever met, so this challenge isn't going to be easy."

To donate to Mr Reed's cause, visit www.justgiving.com/joe-reed58.