A solicitor is in his final weeks of his preparation for the 270-mile Cycle of Death through America's Mojave Desert.

Rich Bates, a partner in Hove law firm Bunkers, will endeavour to complete the challenge along the length of Death Valley in five days.

He is hoping to raise £5,000 for the Edward Starr Charitable Trust, which works to improve the lives of children in the UK and around the world by providing project-based funding.

During the day, Mr Bates will experience blistering heat followed by freezing nights. Temperatures have previously hit 56.7C, two degrees lower than the Libyan world record.

The Death Valley was named by a group of miners who crossed the valley in 1849, but only just survived.

Mr Bates said: "I am thrilled to take on this challenge. The Edward Starr Charitable Trust is important to me as it is local, innovative and supports some really fantastic projects, here and abroad.

"Having helped out on the periphery for some time, I really wanted to do something more substantial.

"The challenge itself will be incredibly tough for me, particularly given that I have recently taken up cycling purely to do this challenge.

"I've had to work hard on my strength and fitness. It's certainly a far cry from my role as a solicitor helping clients protect their wealth from tax and nursing home fees."

Rich is recording his efforts in a blog which can be read at www.deadmencycling.blogspot.com