A BLACKBURN man is in training for a gruelling race which will see him running, cycling and swimming across London.

The London Triathlon on August 6 comprises a 1,500m swim in open water, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run.

And Roy Washington, 48, of Pleckgate, has been practising with his dalmatian, Sam, in tow, and hopes to raise £1,000 for the Help a Local Child charity.

Roy, a former physical training instructor for the Royal Navy, now works as a warehouse manager at Ward Knowles printing, in Oswaldtwistle.

He said: "I feel strongly about under- priveleged children. I think they need a lot of help. I have got three kids of my own and they're growing fast. I am keen to see kids happy who might not otherwise be happy.

"I have never done a triathlon before, and started training for this event in January. The thing that tends to be the most difficult is the swim."

Anybody interested in sponsoring Roy can contact him via the website www.justgiving.com/ washington.