Policeman takes on desert beat

Pc Dave Hutchinson trains along the route of Hadrian's Wall

A police officer will swap the beat for the heat when he takes part in a gruelling 140-mile race.

PC Dave Hutchinson, based at Haltwhistle in Northumberland, will fly to Morocco in April for what is considered one of the toughest foot races on Earth.

The Northumbria Police officer will join 600 other competitors from around the world for the Marathon des Sables across the southern Moroccan Sahara.

The seven-day race involves running the distance of a marathon each day.

As he pounds the desert sands in temperatures of 40C, he will be raising money for the Rainbow Trust.

I really am expecting the worst, but at the same time I'm really looking forward to it Dave Hutchinson

The national charity helps chronically and terminally ill children and their families, and has a base in Hexham.

Mr Hutchinson trains with his wife's springer spaniel, Molly, running hundreds of miles each week, carrying eight-kilogram packs filled with water.

His favourite route takes him along Hadrian's Wall.

Mr Hutchinson decided to take on the challenge to celebrate his 50th birthday earlier this month.

He said: "I first read about it about five years ago and it just looked phenomenal.

Highest sand dunes

"It also looks horrific, but all I could think was - 'I wonder if I could do that?'

"I really am expecting the worst, but at the same time I'm really looking forward to it. Running through those landscapes will be tremendous."

Each competitor will have to travel the distance of a marathon each day - one day alone involves the runners tackling some of the world's highest sand dunes.

They also have to carry everything they need for the week including food, clothing and first aid equipment.