AN adventure seeker from Bewdley hopes to prove age is no obstacle by completing a gruelling 276-mile bike ride.

Steve Gillespie, of Richmond Road, will be jetting off to Peru for Macmillan Cancer Relief's cycle challenge in September.

The 59-year-old will travel from Lake Titicaca to the finishing point in Machu Picchu in only six days.

Mr Gillespie said the charity was close to his heart as he had friends affected by the disease and last year he had tests for prostate cancer which, fortunately, were clear.

He added he believed "anything was possible" and wanted an adventure to mark his 60th birthday in September.

The retired company director, who has been a keen cyclist, "on and off", since he was a teenager, said he was looking forward to his trip, which takes place between September 30 and October 12.

He added: "It is a major challenge. At one point, we reach 1,400ft and I'm actually looking forward to see how I'm able to cycle at altitude.

"I think the really exciting part will be seeing the Inca city of Machu Picchu."

Mr Gillespie has been training in the gym four times a week and at the end of May will begin a cycling programme devised by the charity.

He needs to find £3,000 in order to take part and he is covering the cost of the trip himself so that all the money raised goes to the cause.

Macmillan Cancer Relief has more than 3,000 specialist, health and social care professionals, who help to support people living with cancer, as well as their families, friends and carers.

The money Mr Gillespie raises will be allocated to projects in Worcestershire - in particular, the funding of two additional nurses for the county, based at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Mr Gillespie can contact 07887 772047 or they can visit the website at www.justgiving.com/stevegillespie