WHILE most of his school friends will spend this summer worrying about their GCSE results, 16-year-old Chris Thompson will be attempting an endurance record bid.

Chris, a pupil at Haughton School, Darlington, will attempt to become the youngest person to walk the length of the country on his own.

He hopes to complete the trek from John O'Groats to Land's End in 40 days, setting off on July 10.

His record attempt will also raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance and the Youth Hostel Association.

Chris said: "It has been a dream of mine because it is the ultimate long-distance walk."

The teenager is a regular walker, making weekly trips to the Pennines and North Yorkshire Moors. His longest walk was along the length of Hadrian's Wall from coast to coast with his family.

This summer's expedition will take in parts of Britain's most rugged countryside including The Great Glen Way, The West Highland Way and the Pennine Way.

He said: "I'm raising money for the Great North Air Ambulance because I take part in a lot of high-risk activities, such as rock climbing, in the North-East. "I hope this lifesaving service would be available if I was ever unfortunate and needed its assistance."

Once he has finished the walk, Chris hopes to take up a place at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Darlington, to study A-levels before embarking on a career with the Parachute Regiment in the Army.

To sponsor Chris, or to check his progress, log on to www.freewebs.com/greatwalk