Men prepare for scooter challenge

The aim is to raise £50,000 to buy six all-terrain scooters

A group of disabled men from the South West are preparing to set a new world record by travelling around Britain on an electric mobility scooter.

The 5,500-mile (8,851km) Scoot-A-Long will take three months, with the riders aiming to cover about 100 miles (161km) a day at an average speed of 8mph.

The team hopes to raise £50,000 to buy six all-terrain scooters for disabled people to use on trips on moors.

The men will travel six days a week, staying at caravan sites along the way.

In 2004, Scoot-A-Long set a Guinness world record by travelling around the UK coastline anti-clockwise, covering a distance of 3,412 miles (5,491km).

I used to keep my spirits up by singing songs at the top of my voice John Duckworth

This time the team will attempt a longer clock-wise journey by including some coastal roads avoided before.

The team consists of: John Duckworth, Geoff West, Simon Parrott, John Seamons, Peter Baldacchino and Dave Behan.

Three members of the team will take part in the entire journey, while the others will ride in particular sections.

Mr Duckworth, part of the 2004 trip, told BBC News the biggest challenge was the weather.

Scooter testing

"Apparently 2004 was one of the worst summers for 50 years and it really threw down some days," he said.

"I used to keep my spirits up by singing songs at the top of my voice - even if the people I passed thought I was mad.

"This year is supposed to be different - so that'll be a novelty."

The new Horizon scooter, which has been specially adapted for the journey, is currently undergoing tests in Exeter.

The team is due to set off on its challenge on 1 June.