A MARATHON charity bike ride is soon to arrive in Bolton with a former Bolton man in the saddle.

Glenn Thistlethwaite decided to raise cash for a cancer charity so he got on his bike and started pedalling a route of 1,200 miles.

Glenn, and his cycling partner, Rhona Quarm, are riding from the southern tip of Jersey to the northern-most part of the Shetland Islands.

The pair are pedalling their way northwards in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for medical research and a mental health charity.

Glenn, whose family owns Thistlethwaites Tyres in Bolton, was based in the Smithills area until he moved to Oxford to work as an Environmental Engineer.

The 30-year-old, who has travelled widely, has always wanted to cover the Lands End-John O' Groats route.

But after discussions with his cycling partner they decided to cycle the longest way possible by starting their marathon ride at Green Island in southern Jersey.

They estimate they will cover around 1,200 miles on their month-long trip, passing through major towns on their way to Muckle Flugga on the northern tip of the Shetlands.

Glenn said: "It's really hard work, as the mountain bikes we are riding are very heavy and I never realised how many hills there were."

He wanted to raise some money for Action Research, a medical research charity, in memory of family friend, Geoff Proffitt, owner of Proffitts furniture store, who died from cancer.

He also wanted to help raise awareness of the mental health charity MIND.

Glenn and Rhona are trying to pass through as many towns as possible, including Bath, Hereford, Shrewsbury, Bolton, Kendal, Carlisle, Glasgow, Ayrshire and ending in the Shetlands.

The pair are expected to pedal their way into Bolton this weekend and will be calling in at the family tyre firm and at the Ainsworth Arms for "light refreshments".

Collecting boxes are placed at Thistlethwaites Tyres, The Ainsworth Arms and Proffitts' store in Great Lever.

A friend is keeping tabs on their whereabouts via his website at www.nigel-watt.org.uk/jersey2shetlands Glenn is hoping to finish the epic ride by May 30