Skateboarder hits the road south

Dave Cornthwaite kisses the start line of his Board Free

A 26-year-old man is skateboarding from John o'Groats to Land's End before tackling a 5,000-mile route around Australia's south coast.

Dave Cornthwaite, from Wales, has nearly reached Inverness after setting off from Caithness at the weekend.

His journey, which he has dubbed Board Free, will raise money for three different charities.

Mr Cornthwaite decided to attempt the venture - which includes the 986-mile UK leg - because he was bored.

Speaking while just outside Tain, in Ross and Cromarty, he said: "It's going all right so far.

Fund-raising drive

"I've had no difficulties along the way and I'm getting loads of great support from people. They've been very generous with donations."

On his website, Mr Cornthwaite said he was looking for a challenge to beat boredom.

After skateboarding to Land's End, he will attempt to travel 5,000 miles from Perth to Brisbane around Australia's southern coastline.

He is raising funds for Link Community Development, which runs education projects in southern Africa; The Lowe Syndrome Trust and Sailability Australia.