AUDIENCES often appreciate the effort performers put in to stage a concert but few have ever given quite as much as pianist Anthony Hewitt.

For Anthony, dubbed the Olympianist, who comes to the Grand in Clitheroe next Friday is cycling from venue to venue as he completes a UK tour from Lands End to John O’Groats covering 1,200 miles in just 21 days.

Travelling around 100 miles a day he will then round off his exertions by giving a full piano recital.

“I’ve always been into cycling and I hope to raise over £20,000 for various children’s charities along the way,” said Anthony.

Following Anthony closely on his journey will be the BeethoVAN which contains his piano which will be unloaded at every venue and then packed away again for the next concert.

He said: “I will get the piano tuned locally when we arrive as it’s not the ideal thing to ferry it about in a van from one end of the country to another.”

Also as part of Anthony’s tour with a difference, at one part in each show he will be wearing a camera to allow music lovers to experience a performance from the pianist’s perspective.

“I’m not sure you if I’ll wear it as a head cam or around my chest,” said Anthony, “it’s where we can get the best picture from.”

Living in the Lake District, Anthony has been putting in hard practice to get fit for the gruelling schedule.

“It’s been difficult to fit in both piano and cycling practice,” he said.

Anthony is a renowned concert pianist having played with both the National Symphony Orchestra in the USA and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

“I will be collecting for charity en route,” said Anthony, “before performing a programme specially chosen to reflect a sense of journey and movement so here will be pieces by Beethoven, Chopin and Brahms.”

*Anthony Hewitt, the Grand Clitheroe, Friday, May 18. Details from the box office on 01200 421599