A Bucks man was set to attempt the mammoth 850-mile route from Land's End to John O’Groats in 21 days for MIND, a mental health charity, next month.

However, due to the lockdown restrictions set out this week, he will be unable to do the challenge on his anticipated start date.

The runner, Ian Potter, has been training for 10 months to build up his fitness so he will be able to run the length of the United Kingdom.

Potter said: “From the news of the new lockdown in place, it means I won't be able to participate in my run on the date of February 21.

“But I’m still going to be training and still going to be kicking on with this.

“As soon as the lockdown is lifted which I'm hoping will be the middle of February, I’m going to try and aim for a later date, hopefully, the middle or the end of march.

“At least the weather will be a bit warmer for when I set off."

The 850-mile route Ian Potter will be taking when restrictions ease:

Bucks Free Press:

He continued: “I would like to thank everyone so far who has been supporting me and sending donations in."

“As I said I’m going to keep the training going throughout the whole of lockdown and hopefully by the middle of March I’ll be setting off and cracking on with this big challenge.”