PROPERTY developer Tom Forrester will be pitting his physical prowess against hundreds of other competitors in an Ironman challenge later this month.

Tom, from Tibberton, near Droitwich, will be heading to Exmoor in Devon on Sunday, June 18 to push himself to the limits in the race which will see him undertake a 1.2 mile lake swim, 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile half-marathon. The 34-year-old is taking part in the event to raise money for St Richard's Hospice in Worcester as a thank you for the care of his mother-in-law Lin Dayus before her death last year.

He is hoping that sponsorship from friends and family will top £500 for the charity `s work caring for those with cancer and other life-threatening illness.

Mr Forrester said: "Lin was an inspirational woman who was a very competitive athlete and competed in many triathlons and also the London Marathon. It was Lin's bravery and strength throughout her illness that inspired me to take on this challenge."

Mr Forrester is busy training 16 hours a week including regular swimming at Droit-wich baths and training in a Tewkesbury lake.

St Richard's fund-raiser Alison Weston wished him the best of luck for the event.

"We're very grateful to Tom for undertaking this challenge," she said. "Every penny he raises will help pay for the specialist hospice care and support of patients and their families."

St Richard's is currently based at Rose Hill, Worcester - but building work is well underway on the new Hospice in Spetchley, which is due to open to patients in October. Providing the services will cost £2.8m annually. If anyone would like to sponsor Mr Forrester they can visit the website www.justgiving.com /tomforrester