A RETIRED vet is nearing the end of his attempt to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of his grandson’s school.

Former veterinary surgeon and lecturer at Cirencester's Royal Agricultural College Mick Ponting, 68, is raising money for Miserden Primary School, where he is a governor and his five-year-old grandson Fred is a pupil.

Mick has been completing the trip in stages since October and has cycled 650 miles so far with 400 miles to go.

He set off on the penultimate leg from Dumfries last weekend and is planning to reach Oban by Monday, May 28.

"The direct route is around 800 miles but I am sticking to cycle paths, canals and suchlike, so by the end I will have done over 1,000 miles," he said.

The final leg will take Mick from Oban to John O’Groats and is planned for the end of next month.

This stretch will take him passed Loch Ness.

Mick, who recently recovered from prostate cancer, has taken up cycling on the advice of his orthopaedic surgeon.

"It’s a lovely way to see Britain," he said.

"We are all tearing around in cars these days and most people don’t take the time to enjoy the scenery or talk to people."

Mick is funding the trip himself so every penny raised will go directly to the school and so far he has raised around £2,000.

Donations can be made at Mick's fundraising page at virginmoneygiving.com/MSFA