Heavyweight Uplyme pals shed the pounds ahead of their 1,000 mile ride from John O’ Groats to Land’s End

AN Uplyme-based cycling team is gearing up to begin a 1,000 mile charity ride tomorrow (Saturday)

Andrew Dare, Tom Glavin and Colwin Way, are aiming to travel from John O’ Groats to Land’s End in just 12 days – and completely unaided.

The fund-raising effort for Help for Heroes has been dubbed “The 50 stone challenge” because of their combined weight.

But after months of tough training it is a slightly slimmer trio who are preparing to set off from Scotland tomorrow.

“We had our final weigh-in and we are now down to 49stone 5lb,” said Andrew, 33, of Uplyme.

“We are planning to head down to Taunton on Tuesday June 5, so if anyone would like to come along and see us then please do.”

Supporters can follow their progress on the website www.thefiftystoners.co.uk

Andrew is a fitness team leader at Ottery St Mary Leisure Centre while Tom, 32, and Colwin, 39, are employed at Axminster Power Tools, living in Lyme Regis and Uplyme respectively.

By taking on the challenge unsupported, the three are having to carry all their equipment - including a tent, sleeping bags, clothes, cooking stoves and first aid gear.