Nature lover John Chalkley is marking his retirement by walking 150 miles for charity, writes Tim Hughes.

Mr Chalkley, 60, of Brookmead Drive, Wallingford, retired from his job as an accountant in February but instead of putting his feet up he has been busy preparing for an ambitious 11-day hike.

He has set out on the long-distance Tarka Trail through rural north Devon. The path passes through the Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks and includes the area immortalised in the popular book Tarka the Otter.

All money raised will go to the charity Water Aid, which provides water facilities to people in undeveloped communities overseas.

He said: "I am doing this because I wanted to do something worthwhile after I retired. I enjoy walking and have been busy training." Despite the amount of time being spent deep in the countryside, Mr Chalkley is not expecting to come across the animals that made the area famous. He said: "I like nature, but it is very unlikely that I will see an otter, as they are rare and nocturnal."

His wife, Mrs Marlene, Chalkley said: "It has always been his ambition to do something like this. I think it is tremendous, though I am a bit apprehensive, as he is going alone. We just want as many people as possible to sponsor him."

To sponsor Mr Chalkley or make a donation call 01491 837584.

Nursing student Emma Casey is preparing for a 100km trek along the Great Wall of China in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign.

Ms Casey, a second-year adult nursing student at Oxford Brookes University, of White Road, Oxford, will join 100 volunteers for the walk from October 3-12.

She is hoping to raise 2,500 for the charity.

To sponsor Emma, call Clare Bewell at the Cancer Research Campaign national events department on 0171 3175161.