A GROUP of Blackburn drinkers are swapping pints for paddles as they attempt to row the Leeds and Liverpool Canal for charity.

Stewart Haggart, landlord at the Infirmary Pub, decided to take on the 127.5-mile challenge in aid of the East Lancashire Hospice and Macmillan Nurses after his mother-in-law, Bridget McNicol, died from throat cancer just before Christmas.

And he will be joined by three loyal customers who are all planning to paddle 26 miles a day.

He said: "My mother-in-law passed away but throughout the whole thing the staff at the hospice in Blackburn were absolutely fantastic. Everybody in the pub knows about the good work done at the Hospice and I think everybody has been touched by cancer in some way.

"We've never done anything as big as this before. Two of the lads have canoed before and I did it when I was 16 but I'm 44 now. We're all unfit old men but we're going to give it a go anyway."

They have all joined the gym in a bid to get fit for the challenge, which starts on the day Stewart's wife celebrates her 40th birthday April 26. But he has been forgiven for missing her big day.

A fundraising committee is organising more events as they aim to raise £5,000 by August.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Stewart or make a donation can contact him at the pub on 01254 278113.