A DEAF man and his dog are gearing up to walk 146 miles on a Shakespearean trail.

Antony Sabin, 85, from Great Rollright, near Chipping Norton, and his hearing dog Branson, aim to walk from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon, to the Globe Theatre in London.

Together they hope to raise £35,000 for the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, with some of the funds going towards a new loop system for deaf visitors to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Mr Sabin said: “Being deaf is very challenging indeed.

“Having my beloved Branson looking out for me has made such a fantastic difference.

“We get a huge amount of pleasure raising money so that other deaf people can benefit too – and it is a great project that keeps us fit.”

The duo will be waved off by well-wishers from the RSC at its open day on Sunday, July 19.

Mr Sabin has appealed for people from the villages and towns through which he will pass, to join him for stages of the walk, as 12-year-old Branson is too old to take part in the whole of the challenge.

Former Star Trek celebrity, and RSC actor Patrick Stewart, who is currently performing in Waiting for Godot, is the patron of Mr Sabin’s Walk and hopes to join him.

He said: “Along with the RSC, I am so happy to support Antony and his dog Branson in this fantastic sponsored walk.

“I hope that at 85 I will still be taking on impressive challenges such as this.”

Mr Sabin’s route will take him through the county, passing through Woodstock and Oxford.

He hopes to reach London on Saturday, August 8.

In their eight years together, Mr Sabin and Branson have walked almost 500 miles and raised more than £35,000 for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

To sponsor Mr Sabin, go to: justgiving.com/antonybransonshakespearewalk