AN ADVENTURER from Bolton has embarked on an epic 6,000 mile horseback journey along the ancient Asian silk routes.

Steve McCutcheon saddled up this week for a record-breaking attempt by riding 6,000 miles through Pakistan to China.

He will be taking a centuries-old trading route made famous by explorers such as Marco Polo and Sven Hedin. The 26-year-old former Turton School pupil is hoping his trek will raise £100,00 for education projects funded by the charity ActionAid in India, Pakistan and China.

Steve, from Bromley Cross, embarked on his Ride for Education adventure after himself experiencing the poor education provision in Asian schools, where he has spent time teaching during the past three years. He is currently making his way along the rocky Karakoram highway in Pakistan.

Steve has ridden since taking horseriding lessons as a child. After he decided upon the journey, Steve asked friends in Pakistan to find a horse that would be suitable for the journey and completed a practice route in India.

His adventure will be covered by Pakistan television, PTV. Cash will be raised through sponsorship deals with companies in Pakistan.

Steve said: "I want to combine an original simple idea with a worthy cause that I value.

"I initially wanted to drive a rickshaw. It would have been much faster. But riding a horse has always been a dream."

After crossing the rocky highway, Steve will cross Kashgar, one of the great outposts on the Silk Route, and arrive at the Khunjerab Pass mountaintop border with China some 59 days later.

He will then head to Tu-lu-fan, which mean traversing the scorching Taklamakan desert of Northern China.

He will ride past the Great Wall of China, skirt around Inner Mongolia and hopefully reach Beijing within a year.

Steve, who is hoping travel between 25km and 40km a day, said: "There is an enchantment about the Old Silk Route.

"This is an exciting project, though I have to say a wee bit nerve wracking at times!"

The quantity surveying graduate is planning to stop and teach an English lesson at schools he passes during his travels, with the first being in Gujranwala, about 70kms outside of Lahore.

Steve has already had his fair share of adventures while preparing for the trip.

Having lived in Pakistan for most of this year, he rubbed shoulders with President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf during the famous Shandur Polo Tournament in August.

Visit www.r4e.org or email steveo7502@yahoo.com for details of the trek and how sponsor or donate to the cause.