A FORMER Navy officer who has started his retirement by raising thousands of pounds for Help for Heroes is passing through the region today.

Dressed in full English Civil War Roundhead uniform, former Chief Petty Officer Malcolm Cray stopped off in Teesdale on Friday on his ten-week walk from John O'Groats to Lands End.

He rejoined his route in Barnard Castle this morning (sun) after resting with friends in Northallerton yesterday and is heading for Keld and Hawes on Monday on his way to for Hebden Brige, West Yorkshire.

The 40-year-old re-enactment fan has already collected more than £8,700 along the way and expects to exceed his original £10,000 target when he finishes at the end of July.

He said: "I joined the Navy at 16 and was lucky enough never to have had any injuries.

"The first thing I wanted to do before getting a job was to help those who have. Help for Heroes is a very worthwhile cause."

Follow his progress on www.justgiving.com/pikeman or www.thecharitypikeman.blogspot.com.