DURING the Middle Ages it was one of the most important pilgrimage routes in the world.

A huge number of people trekked through France to northern Spain where, according to legend, the remains of St James were buried in what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela.

Now his namesake is preparing to make a highly personal pilgrimage of his own.

Freelance cameraman James Light, 33, will walk one of the routes that comprise The Way of St James in memory of his brother David, who died of epilepsy at the age of 24.

David, who worked at Brewers decorating shop in Ringwood, had lived with epilepsy since the age of eight.

He was on medication but continued to have seizures and died in his sleep in 2001.

James, also of Ringwood, is hoping his marathon trek will raise hundreds of pounds for a charity called Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy.

He said: “David’s death was a great shock – at the time we didn’t even know you could die of epilepsy.

 James Light and, inset, his brother David “He had a fit in the middle of the night but none of us knew anything about it until we found him the next morning.”

David will be James’s inspiration as he completes the long walk from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Portin in France to Finisterre in Spain, starting on July 6.

He said: “My life changed forever when David died.

“Since that day the idea of doing anything I didn’t want to wasn’t really an option. Life is there to be lived and I wanted to live it.

“I’ve managed to fulfil most of my dreams, which is why I want to dedicate this next one to charity.

“My journey is more than 500 miles - a long way for a bloke to walk.

“It can be done in a little over 30 days but I don’t like to rush things as anyone who knows me will say.

“I want to stay safe and healthy along the way, so it will take as long as it needs to take.”

Sponsor James at justgiving.com/thefrenchway