AN RAF serviceman from Princetown is to take to the saddle on Monday and 'take off' on a gruelling 1,000-mile charity ride from Land's End to John O'Groats.

Rob Finch, a senior aircraft technician based at RAF Cottesmore in Rutland, is one of the 'Cottesmore Seven' — five cyclists and two support members, who are aiming to complete 120 miles a day and arrive at the north eastern tip the British mainland on October 6.

He joins riders Senior Aircraftsman (Technician) Gary Sparkes, SAC (T) Neil Richardson, SAC (T) Adam Hoult and Cpl Dave Smith who are supported in the team van by LAC (T) Mark Mallabone and Cpl Mark Beavis.

Rob, 22, and a former Tavistock College student, joined the RAF when he was 16. He said: 'We are all keen cyclists who have taken part in several cycling events. I've never done anything like this before but we have been training by riding about 200 miles a week to prepare for the ride.

'The money raised will be going towards the RAF Benevolent Fund and Cystic Fibrosis and we are hopefully looking to raise £5,000.'

The Cottesmore Seven are hoping to be in Rob's home village of Princetown on Monday, sometime late afternoon/early evening.

There will be a collection box at the Plume of Feathers pub at Princetown if anyone would like to make a donation.

Donations can also be made through http://www.biking4benevolent.webs.com">www.biking4benevolent.webs.com or wwwjustgiving.com/cottesmore6