GRANDFATHER Bill Frankland is planning a 100-mile trek through the Highlands of Scotland to raise money for a hospice.

Mr Frankland, 70, of Castletown, Sunderland, will do the West Highland Walk, between Milngavie and Fort William, from August 23 to 30 in aid of the Jigsaw Appeal, for St Oswald's Hospice, in Newcastle.

The appeal was launched to raise £4.5m to provide services for children with life threatening diseases, by next year.

Earlier this year Mr Frankland ran the London Marathon, finishing in four hours and 26 minutes and covered 530 miles on a nine-day cycling holiday through France.

"The West Highland Walk is something I have always planned to do and I thought I'd raise some money for a worthy cause at the same time," he said.

"Years ago, I used to do walks for the disabled and cancer. When you think of kids in a hospice terminally ill with cancer it does hurt. The walk will be challenging, given the terrain. I'll be doing 14 miles a day, stopping at hostels and B and Bs, which is good walking at the best of times.

"The weather can be extremely inclement, you can't trust it and the midges are notorious. I have got about 30 sponsors so far, but I'd like to raise as much money as I can so I'm looking for more.''

Anyone who wants to offer sponsorship can call Mr Frankland, on (07811) 544412.