Brothers hoof it to winning post

The Bishop brothers will cover about 80 miles (129km) on foot

Two brothers with a rare genetic condition are putting their best feet forward in Devon to highlight the inherited disorder.

John Bishop, 52, and his 49-year-old brother Geoffrey, who have Marfan Syndrome, are walking round 42 National Hunt racecourses in the UK.

On Friday the brothers' whistle-stop tour includes Newton Abbot and Exeter.

About 5,000 people in the UK have the connective tissue disorder which affects the skeleton, lungs and heart.

Cheltenham Festival

The idea to walk the courses came from the men's interest in National Hunt racing.

"We were born in Gloucestershire, come from farming backgrounds and both love National Hunt horse racing," John Bishop said.

"The main aim is to make more people aware of the syndrome, but it's an ideal way to see the courses.

"We'll be covering about 80 miles (129km) on foot and driving approximately 2,000 miles (3,219km).

"Unfortunately we're not able to get across the water to Ireland, but we're doing all the National Hunt courses in England, Scotland and Wales."

The brothers are about a third of the way through their mission, which is due to end next week at Cheltenham, the day before the famous Gold Cup race.

"It's worked out very well so far. We're off to the Aintree course tomorrow and if it's as nice there as it's been in Devon, we'll be laughing," John Bishop said.

"We've raised about £2,000 at this stage, but really what we want to do is make more people aware of Marfan Syndrome."

The brothers have both had aortic root replacements and mechanical heart valves fitted.

Without these operations, they would probably have died, but now they both work full-time and live "fairly active" normal lives.