A SPORTY student is planning to run from Preston to Blackburn in the hope of raising enough money to live in the Caribbean for six months.

But it will not be a long holiday, for Mark Tyres will use the time on the Caribbean island of Grenada to develop youth work in local churches.

Mark Tyers, of Fishwick View, Preston, is aiming to complete the run, approximately 12 miles, in just one-and-a-half hours on Sunday, February 1.

Mark, 19, and his brother, Aidan, 16, will set out from St Matthew's Church, in New Hall Lane, at 12.30pm, and follow the Preston New Road route to the finish line at Blackburn Cathedral.

He hopes to raise more than £2,000 from the mini-marathon for the overseas scheme, run jointly by USPG, a CofE mission society, and the Methodist Church.

"I know I will be visiting and working with all three of the local youth fellowships, and also with the youth circuit fellowship," said Mark, a former pupil of St Leonard's CofE Primary, Walton Green, Walton-le-Dale, Preston.

"I will also potentially be helping to set up another youth fellowship in Grenada's second largest town Grenville."

Mark, who works part time at a Deepdale sports shop, is planning the once-in-a-lifetime trip during a gap year from studies after completing A levels at St Wilfred's CofE High School, Blackburn.

On his return home Mark, who is also a basketball coach at his former high school, plans to continue his education at Manchester Metropolitan University, in October, where he will study physical geography.