A Braithwaite man is walking to London to raise money for a single dads' group.

Michael Thompson set off from Keighley town centre pub the Lord Rodney after a swift half, and plans to follow the canal network down to the capital.

The epic trek is to raise money to set up a single dads' support group and to help Keighley youngster Danielle Wood, who has a rare brain disease.

Michael predicts the trek will take at least a week and is relying on the kindness of strangers for accommodation.

He says: "I'm hoping to meet some good people to put me up."

Yesterday Michael was approaching Newark, in Nottinghamshire.

Michael is pictured being seen off on the banks of the canal at Bar Lane, Riddlesden, by his sister Rose.