Pub landlord Keith Frost is saddling up for a gruelling charity African bike ride.

Mr Frost, who owns the Royal Marine, in Old Pier Street, Walton, is calling on his regulars to chip in and help him out.

He needs to raise £3,000 for disabled charity Scope by December in order to go on the Kenyan Rideaway Challenge.

The ride, which takes place next February, involves a 400 kilometre cycle ride across the rough terrain of Kenyan's Great Rift Valley.

But for Mr Frost, 50, it will be an extra big challenge - as the former keen cyclist has not been on a bike for 20 years.

He said: "I will do it, I'm determined to do it, but it's going to be fairly hard and mostly off-road. You are talking about some serious uphill stretches and altitude.

"I have done some cycling in the last couple of months, a few miles a week, but nothing significant."

Mr Frost also works in London as an employment consultant and deals with people who have cerebral palsy, which prompted him to help raise money for Scope.

The £3,000 he aims to raise will be enough to buy a hoist to enable disabled people to get in and out of baths. The pub is expected to host several events, such as a Cockney night, to help boost funds.

In the past the pub has raised money for the RNLI, Walton Primary School, Frinton blind homes and the sea cadets.

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