ONE Show host Matt Baker has admitted he is suffering excruciating saddle sores after his rickshaw challenge raised more than half a million pounds and counting.

The County Durham-born presenter is pedalling nearly 500 miles from Edinburgh to London to raise cash for BBC Children In Need, braving swollen limbs, painful tendons and aching joints.

But his poorly bum is giving him agony and he said he sympathises with his own kids for their nappy rash.

"The guys who are riding with us on the medibikes said I need to just ride through it so I think my eyes might be watering for the first three miles.

"I have quite a lot of sympathy for my children who used to have nappy rash - 13 hours in the saddle yesterday certainly didn't help and especially in damp conditions."

He is having to lug around 25 stones around with the weight of the rickshaw and occasional passengers.

Baker is being given massages, painkillers and a nightly ice bath to help with the pain. His agony is being eased slightly by a cushioned seat presented to him by his father.

He is due to arrive in London on Friday during the live CIN broadcast on Friday night.

Baker said he had been bouncing between highs and lows.

"One minute I was really happy, then the next minute I was hanging over the bars in tears. The last three days has been about battling against the landscape, just getting the miles. I am absolutely shattered," he said.

:: Supporters can donate £5 by texting MATT to 70705.