Whenever student nurse Martin Lewis isn't tending the sick, he will be out notching up the miles in preparation for the trip of a lifetime.

Martin, 24, of Utley, is planning to walk a Peruvian trail which will take him back to the ruins of one of the most famous ancient civilisations.

In May next year -- if he raises the minimum sponsorship of £2,500 -- he will be among a party of fundraisers in the High Andes, walking an Inca route to the lost city of Machu Picchu. He has taken up the 90k, 4,450 metre high challenge to raise cash for Mind, the mental health charity.

"I'm very much looking forward to it -- it will be so different from what I've ever seen before," he said. "I enjoy walking and have done several long distance walks but nothing like this. I can't wait.

"I was looking to do something for charity like this and then I saw this opportunity in the Big Issue magazine," said Martin, who will be joined by his father-in-law Mike Mathieson.

The trip will involve walking through the Peruvian Andes, along the spectacular Urubamba river, a tributory of the river Amazon, and then along the commercial trail to Machu Picchu.

Martin is a second-year student at Bradford University who was in placement at Bradford Royal Infirmary and Airedale Hospital, Steeton, last year.

In his spare time he is a health care support worker.

He is organising several fundraising events as well as building up the miles in time for the trip.

Anyone wishing to sponsor him should telephone 01535 604815.

* The ancient Inca civilisation was destroyed by the Spanish Conquistadors in the early 1530s. Machu Picchu was the Incas' city high in the mountains, the ruins of which are still a magnificent site.