An Otley postman is preparing to take on a 52-mile fundraising challenge in “a runner’s paradise”.

Liam Dunne, 37, will be pounding the hill tracks above his home village of Clonaslee, in County Laois, Ireland, when he begins the Slieve Bloom Way Challenge on Good Friday.

The off-road event will see him climb to about 4,000ft and be assisted by six support runners as he visits six hill peaks while attempting to raise as much as possible for Cancer Research UK.

The Otley Athletic Club member said: “The Slieve Blooms Mountains are, for me, a runner’s paradise and probably one of my favourite places to run.

“As well as some challenging terrain they also offer tranquil and charming scenery with extensive views, and when I was seeking a greater challenge than the usual marathon, I couldn’t think beyond the challenge of the Slieve Bloom Way.

“I hope to complete the non-stop challenge within ten hours and in the process raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK.”

A competitive road and off-road runner for the past five years now, Liam finished 82nd in last year’s Great North Run and won the Round Hill Fell Race, at Blubberhouses.

His training for the Slieve Bloom Way Challenge has involved mixing long-distance runs with speed work and he has also been given nutritional advice from fellow Otley Athletic Club runner Chris Carver, one of the UK’s top ultra-marathon competitors.

Liam’s Irish challenge can be sponsored at justgiving.com/Liam-Dunne0.