A HAMPSHIRE man has embarked on a 600-mile cycle ride he hopes will raise £10,000 for research into chronic fatigue syndrome.

Solicitor Alistair Houghton, 34, is doing the marathon in memory of his brother Ross who was only 29 when he died after an eight-year battle against the distressing disease.

Alistair and his brother-in-law Richard Knight expect to take eight days to make the marathon journey from Totton in Hampshire to Edinburgh.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). There are thought to be at least 150,000 cases in the UK.

Money raised by the cycle ride will go to the CFS Research Foundation, which funds research into the causes of ME and potential cures.

To make a donation visit everyclick.com/cyclechallengeforme.