A BOLTON grandad has gone Manx mad - by taking his THREE-LEGGED puppy on a massive trek around the Isle of Man. Marshall Anderton and pet Robbie - named after the three-wheeled Robin Reliant car - plan a 96-mile hike around the island famed for its three-legged symbol. The fund-raising walk will mean the mongrel bitch, who had a hind leg amputated after an accident, covering about the same distance it takes to travel from Bolton to Birmingham.

But his thoughtful owner has already made contingencies just in case his best friend's three little legs can't take the strain.

For Marshall, 55, has bought a baby's PAPOOSE so he can carry seven-month-old Robbie on his back when the puppy becomes too puffed-out to carry on.

But today he said: "Robbie's raring to go and she's as fit as a fiddle. She'll be known as the Lady of Man by the end of it all."

The pair's jaunt, to raise cash for Bolton Destitute Animal Shelter, covers the classic Way of the Gull walk around the island's beautiful coastline.

Marshall, of Shorefield Mount, Dunscar, who will be joined by two friends and experienced fell-walking wife Sheila, plans to stagger the nine-day journey by stopping at accommodation dotted around the island.

But he reckons Robbie, who was saved by the animal shelter after being found cowering in a bush with a badly broken leg, will last the pace far longer than his two-legged, human companions.

"I'm the one who's out of shape at the moment," he said. "Robbie might only have three legs but she'd give most dogs with four a good run for their money. Because she lost her leg as a baby she doesn't realise she doesn't have a full set and just carries on as normal."

The sponsored walk, which has attracted much media interest in the Isle of Man, sets off on Wednesday May 27.

"We always go to the Isle of Man on holiday because we love it," said Marshall. "But we thought this time we'd try and help the animal shelter." Call 412907 if you would like to sponsor Marshall.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.