WALKERS on the Dales Way may well have spotted the unusual site of a man riding on the back of a pink flamingo as he makes his way along the long distance path, winding his way through Craven this week.

Paul Marley, from Keighley, started the 78 mile walk on Monday in Ilkley, and hopes to complete it today (Thursday) when he reaches the end of the path in Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria.

And, he is hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for the mental health charity, MIND, a charity close to his heart which offers information and advice to people with mental health problems and lobbies government and local authorities on their behalf.

The first day took him from Ilkley to Kettlewell, on Tuesday, from Kettlewell to Dent; on Wednesday, from Dent to Burneside, and today, from Burneside to the finish.

Paul, who has worked at Airedale General Hospital in Steeton for 15 years, has been staying overnight in bed and breakfasts along the route.

He said:”I just love flamingos, when I decided to do the walk, some bright spark suggested getting dressed up. Cows love me, and stiles should not be too much of a problem, but its the weather I’m more worried about.”

To help Paul raise money for MIND, go to: gofundme.com/f/paul039s-campaign-for-mind-namh

The Dales Way path is this year celebrating its 50th anniversary.