A 14-year-old is aiming to become the youngest accredited cyclist to ride from Land's End to John O'Groats alone this year.

Luke Drummond is gearing up to cycle the 1,000 miles to support the British Heart Foundation, after his 75-year-old grandfather Tony, from Berwick-upon-Tweed, died from a heart attack just hours after the pair returned from a skiing holiday in Andorra.

Luke, of Park Close, Bladon, who wants to be a professional cyclist, aims to average 71 miles a day on his Dawes Gyro 300 racing bike during the 14-day cycle through England, Wales and Scotland.

The trip will put him in contention for the Jack Adams-Richard Elloway Trophy.

This is awarded by the Land's End-John O'Groats Association, a not-for-profit club whose membership consists of those who have completed the journey from Land's End to John O'Groats, or vice versa, by any means in a single trip.

The Jack Adams-Richard Elloway Trophy is awarded annually to the youngest person under 25 to complete the route under their own steam, or as the driver of a power-assisted vehicle.

An 11-year-old boy has previously completed the route with his father, but Luke is aiming to complete the course as independently as possible with just his grandmother, Jean, driving on ahead to book accom- modation.

Luke, a pupil at Marlborough School, in Woodstock, said: "My grandad's death had a major affect on me.

"It was a major shock when it happened because my grandad was so active and we'd been skiing all week.

"Something like this brings the horror of heart disease close to home.

"When someone who keeps so active dies, you realise it can target anyone.

"Throughout the week, he had been complaining about indigestion pains, but I didn't take this as a sign that my grandfather was having chest pains.

"Reading back into his diary, I know now that he thought he might be having a cardiac event of some sort, but didn't tell me and get himself to a doctor as he didn't want to spoil my holiday.

"I don't want other people to have to face the situation I am in now, having been the last to see him and not picking out the symptoms of a heart attack, which has made me feel rather guilty."

Luke cycles four miles to school every day and has also completed a 300-mile cycle tour of Wales.

He added: "In the week before he died, we discussed my cycling in detail.

"He admitted he was proud of my cycling and was expressing support for a ride that I thought I would be riding in at least a year's time.

"This is a challenge I have wanted to do since I was 12, but the memory of my grandad is now going to be spurring me on throughout the journey."

Luke is aiming to raise £2,000 for the Heart Foundation, and sets off on the ride from Land's End on July 20.

He will also be writing a blog about his journey, which can be read at www.lukedrummond.co.uk Anyone who wishes to donate, can do so at www.justgiving.com/lukesend2end