A WEST Devon farmer is off on the sponsored ride trail once more ? following last year?s marathon from John O?Groats to Land?s End, Michael Bickell is this year attempting a channel-to-channel ride.

Michael, who farms near Lewdown, is leaving the Bristol Channel at Lee Abbey on Friday August 1 at 8am.

He will be accompanied on the ride to the English Channel in Plymouth by George Moyse, a farmer from Bratton Clovelly, plus friends and other members of the hunt.

Last year Michael, who is chairman of Lamerton Foxhounds, raised more than £13,000 for Riding for the Disabled, Cancer Research UK and the Meningitis Trust.

This year, he hopes to raise much needed funds for the Radio Devon Chestnut Appeal for prostate cancer and the Rowans Rehabilitation Unit at Derriford Hospital.

Michael said: ?We chose Rowans because several members of Lamerton Foxhounds have had a lot of rehabilitation there and obviously prostate cancer affects a lot of men. I?m fortunate with pretty good health and we?d like to help those less fortunate.?

The ride will take place as far as possible across country or using quiet roads. The first night will be spent at Eggesford Station, courtesy of Eggesford Foxhounds. On the Saturday, the riders will travel via Winkleigh and Castle Cross through Bratton Clovelly to Michael?s home at Lewdown.

There will be an early start from Lewdown on Sunday morning, to enable several pit stops on the way through to Plymouth, where the ride will actually end in the English Channel at Queen Anne?s Battery.

Michael said: ?Jan and Andy at the Ordulph Arms are being very hospitable and providing us with a pit-stop in Tavistock and we are also stopping at Kathryn Bellard?s in Tavistock.

?Kathryn?s a member of the hunt and is also part of the reason we are supporting Rowans, because she was in there for such a long time.?

During the ride, the horses will be looked after by a back-up team headed by Nick Kelly, of Lamerton Hunt.

Michael said he hoped plenty of people would join him and George for some of the ride and raise funds for two such worthy causes.

Anyone who would like to find out more about the ride or make a donation should call Michael Bickell on 01566 783305.