Dumfries teacher swaps classroom for marathon cycle ride

60-year-old techer Paul Spracklen has set off on a journey that will take in three countries and around 1,650.

He admits he's not done much in the way of training but what makes his trip even more remarkable is that he won't be having any backup on the journey.

Speaking before he set off he said that he felt some last-minute butterflies.

I'm feeling fairly nervous and it's a long way to go.

I didn't get a lot of sleep last night thinking about the journey. But I'm feeling fine now and ready to go.

He'll be travelling to Portsmouth and after getting a boat across to Le Havre, will cycle across part of France before crossing over the Spain and taking another ferry from Barcelona to Majorca and ends in Alcudia

He's cycling for Macmillan Cancer support after seeing members of his family and friends suffering from the illness.

His wife Karen will be waiting for him at their apartment in Majorca - but while she'll spend the next 43 days in the sun, he'll be sweating it out in the saddle.