A MAN whose two brothers died suddenly last year is paying tribute to them this week by tackling the Pennine Way.

Mick Kirkbride set off on a 120-mile trek from Hawes, North Yorkshire, on Saturday, to raise money for Cancer Research and Meningitis Research.

The walk is his way of coming to terms with the deaths of his brother, Stephen, 30, who died in January last year, and Ian, 42, who died in October.

He hopes to raise as much money as he can for the charities and is also donating a percentage to Middlesbrough General Hospital, where Stephen was treated, and Darlington Memorial Hospital, where Ian was treated.

Mr Kirkbride said: "Last year was somewhat of a personal disaster. This is my way of trying to be positive for the future and raise money for research into cancer and meningitis."

Youngest brother Stephen, who lived in Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, died suddenly after contracting pneumococcal meningitis, leaving a nine-month-old daughter, Abbey, and partner Ann.

Shortly after Stephen's funeral, Ian Kirkbride, who lived in Shildon, County Durham, was diagnosed with throat cancer. He died eight months later.

Mr Kirkbride has spent the past months training for the trek and has given up smoking to get fit.

He has also walked several miles a night, and walked up and down stairs with heavy weights on his back.

He has chosen to complete the northern half of the walk because it is an area which was very special to the three brothers. He cannot complete the whole walk from Derbyshire to the Scottish borders because of work commitments.

He is hoping to finish the trek on Thursday, with a six-mile walk along Hadrian's Wall.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Mr Kirkbride can contact him on 07957 368229.