A vegan bikepacker - a cyclist with a passion for camping - is taking on the challenge of a lifetime as he prepares to ride across India in the name of healthy eating.

Along with 40 other people from around the world, Daniel Walsh from Knuzden, will be taking part in Vegan Cycle India - a 392km cycle across India's southern state of Kerala.

The 23-year-old's aim is to promote a lifestyle where people can eat and live healthily and sustainably without the use of mass animal farming, while also promoting Veganuary - an initiative set up by non-profit organisation, the Veganuary Group, which encourages people to go vegan for the month of January.

Mr Walsh said: "I can say for definite this is new territory for me.

"I've never left Europe before, so it's bound to be a cultural and physical shock - different climate, different continent, different way of living.

"As part of the project, I'm aiming to raise £1000 to help fund the Veganuary Group.

"As a vegan cyclist and bike-packer who values the importance of a green future, this is a challenge that brings all of my beliefs together.

"I'm very motivated to make this not only about my project, but to involve a wider range of people and spread the message through various methods of fundraising."

Having been a vegan for little over two years - after making the transition from being vegetarian - Mr Walsh, who works full time in telesales, said he started cycling to avoid paying for the bus.

He said: "I borrowed my Dad's bike and used it to get to where I worked. Now I have my own bike and cycle to get everywhere. I live in Knuzden so there's plenty of places to get to that really aren't far away.

"I've been training hard for the cycle too, and last weekend went on a bikepacking trip to the Lakes - where I camped and cycled up near Grasmere."

Mr Walsh will be carrying out the mammoth cycle challenge in February next year, and plans to document his adventure on his blog, B12 Bikepacker.

To follow his story visit B12Bikepacker.co.uk or if you'd like to donate visit the JustGiving page justgiving.com/fundraising/b12-bike-packer.