Ironman Joel Buton has steeled himself for a 22,000-mile walk for world peace - and he's taking his bed of nails with him.

Every step of the way the former circus strongman has pushed his 300lb bed of nails, which he uses to promote his message.

He pushes it with the rest of his belongings in a barrow, weighing more than 600lb.

And he punctuates his travels by stopping to lie on the 8in nails and inviting people to stand on top of him.

Joel, 42, left Baggies Backpackers Hotel, in Oriental Place, Brighton, today on the latest stage of his walk round the coast of Britain.

So far, he has travelled from Portsmouth to the West Country, up the coast to Wales, across to Ireland and back, up to Scotland and back down the east coast of England. When he reaches Portsmouth he intends to catch a ferry to Cherbourg and carry on through Europe.

Joel, who comes from near Nantes, France, started his walk from the Champs Elysees in Paris in 1998.

By the time he finishes in 2004, he will have covered 22,000 miles and hopes to get into the Guinness Book of Records for his marathon trek through 28 countries.

Joel took the inspiration for his walk from the death of Princess Diana in Paris.

He said: "She was dedicated to world peace and had been campaigning against the use of landmines in Yugoslavia before she died. I decided I would continue her message and walk around Europe with my bed of nails, promoting world peace.

"I have had a wonderful reaction from almost everyone wherever I go. I have met the mayors of many of the major towns and cities I have been to and have letters from them supporting what I am doing.

"The only exception was in London, where nobody seemed to want to help me.

"I went to Downing Street and asked if I could speak to the Prime Minister, but the police told me it was impossible and that I should go away. I tried to see Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, but his secretary told me I would have to write in for an appointment.

"Everywhere else has been fantastic, though. I can walk into a pub in any town and will always find someone willing to help me find a place to stay for the night or tell me where I can pitch my tent in a local park."

Joel was walking between Ramsgate and Deal, Kent, when he heard about the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre on September 11.

He said: "I felt very sad that so many people from so many different countries died when the World Trade Centre was attacked.

"I agree that the world terrorist situation has to be dealt with and that all the countries in the world should unite to do so. But afterwards, we should use that unity to continue world peace."

Joel plans to walk through Europe to Moscow where he hopes to meet the Russian president and urge him to continue improving relations with the West.

He also hopes to meet the Prince of Wales and Princes William and Harry before he ends his walk.

Joel said: "Prince Charles supports peace and understanding between different cultures and religions. I want to ask him and his sons to continue the work Princess Diana did in promoting world peace."