A SOLICITOR is about to embark on the journey of a lifetime when he will walk the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River in China.

And Nigel Holden says the 'Disappearing World' title given to the charity fund-raising expedition could not be more appropriate with the area soon to be flooded to create the world's largest reservoir.

"The Three Gorges area is one of the natural wonders of the world and this is the last chance I will get to see it," said Nigel, a partner in GHT Solicitors, of Richmond Terrace, Blackburn.

"Next year it will be gone for ever and I couldn't let the opportunity pass me by."

Nigel, 55, travelled to China in 2000 when he completed a 125-mile walk along the Great Wall.

That trip was organised by the Foundation for the Study of Infant Death (FSID) and Nigel raised £5,000 in sponsorship, a total he hopes to top this time when the same charity will benefit.

His travelling companion then and now is Paul Burrows, 56, managing director of Weltonhurst Ltd, Roman Road, Blackburn, and the pair have set themselves a target of £10,000.

"We have paid for the trip entirely out of our own pockets and every penny we raise will go to the charity," said Nigel, who has been in training for the past six months.

"We are expecting a gruelling 10-day expedition, during which we will cover more than 130 miles over some fairly rough terrain.

"Walking the Great Wall three years ago was a fantastic experience. We got to visit areas not normally open to tourists, where you had to have a special licence, and it was an unforgettable experience.

"This trip promises to be every bit as memorable, not least because of the dramatic changes that are about to take place in the region."

A massive hydroelectric dam is being constructed at Sandouping in the Hubei Province which will eventually lead to the creation of the enormous body of water stretching back 350 miles.

"It is a project of mind-boggling proportions and to see that alone will be worth the trip," said Nigel.

"The Gorges themselves are meant to be something special and I feel very privileged to be able to see them before they are flooded."

Nigel and Paul leave for the People's Republic on March 5 and are anxious to get in as much sponsorship as possible before they go.

His own firm, GHT, has lead the way with a £500 donation and anyone who would like to follow their example can contact Nigel on 01254 682424.