A FORMER Royal Marine from Gravesend is preparing to walk from John o'Groats to Land's End – backwards.

Richard Coulson, 35, is in training for the remarkable feat by spending 12 hours a day facing the wrong way on a treadmill at NRG gym in Gravesend.

The small business-owner of Baltic Walk, Gravesend, is planning to break the Guinness World Record, held since 1990, of 26 days and seven hours by tramping the length of the country in just 25 days.

He will be walking for 15 hours a day raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support and veterans’ charity Help Our Wounded Royal Marines and Supporting Arms.

Ric, who lost his mother Ann, 60, to cancer at the end of last year, said: "It kept going through my head about how I could give something back to these charities and challenge myself mentally and physically.

"I’m giving back by walking backwards!" The former Close Combat Section Commander in Afghanistan will start out from John o’Groats on February 15 and has already raised more than £1,600.

Visit inreverse.co.uk to find out where you can donate.

There will be an awareness evening on February 8 at 7pm at Grapes Cafe Bar in Gravesend featuring live music and a presentation by Ric on his challenge.