A SCHOOL worker put his best foot forward by walking 100 miles to help provide safer accommodation for children.

Geoff Reilly, senior site manager of The Loddon School in Sherfield-on-Loddon, embarked on a five-day trek from Glastonbury to the school last Thursday, to raise funds to equip one of the school's houses, Homelands.

It is currently being renovated and extended to accommodate four pupils at the school, which provides residential care and education for children with severe learning difficulties.

The exhausted 58-year-old said he was elated when he arrived back at the school. There he was greeted by cheers from principal Marion Cornick, staff, pupils and friends at the school gates.

Mr Reilly said: "Day two was the hardest because I broke all the rules by not drinking or eating enough."

He started the walk at Pelicans FE College, in Meare, near Glastonbury, which helps young people aged 16 to 25 grow into mature adults, using the same kind of methods used at The Loddon School.

"Without doubt it's a long, long way," added Mr Reilly. "I'm surprised I actually did it!"

Senior administrator Terry Raisborough said the school's £250,000 project means children living at Church View, on the busy A33, will be able to move to Homelands, on Wildmore Lane, in October, which will be a safer and more secure house. Church View will then be used for staff accommodation.