A POSTMAN from Dunley will be looking to deliver as much money as possible to a cancer charity by cycling from London to Paris.

David Baylis, 53, is joining a team of staff from Royal Mail to help raise money for the company's chosen charity, Prostate Cancer UK, by cycling from the English to the French capitals.

The trip will feature 234 miles of cycling as the team sets off from Twickenham on Friday, June 20, for Portsmouth where they will cross over to Caen, all on the first day. They will then ride through French hamlets and spend the second night in the town of Evreux. The journey will pick up the next morning and finish at the Champs-Elysees in Paris under the Arc de Triomphe.

Mr Baylis said his wife had challenged him to take part in the event and, having suffered from arthritis in his knees but recently lost three stone in weight, was the "fittest I have ever been".

He said: "This is an epic challenge for myself and I will push my physical limits - I am not getting any younger - and I am sure everyone will appreciate the great work Prostate Cancer UK carry out and hope people can help support this worthy cause."

He added: "I have taken up cycling because of this challenge and started training at the end of January, which was hard in such terrible weather. I am 53 and probably the fittest I have ever been in my life. I am confident I am going to be able to complete. I have been going out with my group of friends and completed quite a few rides myself.

"I have never done anything like this before and I have not been to Paris since I was a teenager. The day after we finish the ride we get the day to ourselves and travel back on the Eurostar in the late afternoon, so I am really looking forward to it."

Mr Baylis said he was originally aiming to raise £1,500 but has already collected that amount and has now raised his target to £2,000. Royal Mail has said it will match whatever amount each individual raises so Mr Baylis's efforts could turn out to be worth £4,000.

Prostate cancer kills one man every hour in the UK and the number of men with the disease is rising - it is already the most common cancer in men but is predicted to become the most prevalent of all cancers in Britain by 2030.

Prostate Cancer UK fights to help more men survive the disease by funding research, raising awareness of it and providing men with information and services.

To sponsor Mr Baylis, visit sponsorme.co.uk and enter his name into the search box on the website.