The sports editor of a regional newspaper is set to get on his bike and cycle 600 miles across Europe for charity.

John Pakey from Northcliffe daily the Lincolnshire Echo will take part in the challenge with BBC Lincolnshire presenter Rod Whiting and producer Louise Wheeler in an attempt to raise £30,000 for Children in Need.

Setting off on 30 September they will complete the 600-mile ride in eight days.

John said the ride was a daunting task, but hoped a lot of people would benefit from the funds raised.

He said: “I’ve done three marathons and I’m not one to back down from challenges, but this is a whole different thing.

“It’s like a scaled-down Tour de France, with a car behind us keeping an eye on things.

“Marathons are tough, but they are just for one day.

“It’s not going to be a cycle ride in the park, it’s going to be a huge challenge, probably more mental than physical.

“But it’s raising money for a great cause: Children In Need. It does a lot of good things so it’s important to support it.

He added: “I’m looking forward to it, though. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The ride – known as ‘From The Rhineland To The Fenland’ –  will begin in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Germany which is twinned with Lincoln.

The trio will make their way along the Rhine River into Holland before catching a ferry to Essex and making their way up to Lincoln.