ANTHONY Shelmerdine is taking a long walk back in time on a coast to coast charity mission.

The 30-year-old book-shop assistant has begun a charity mission to cover the 84 miles of Hadrian's Wall - eating, sleeping and dressing like the Romans who built it.

The modern legionnaire, from Greenfield, in Oldham, aims to raise thousands of pounds for Cancer Research by completing the five day trek dressed head to toe as a Roman soldier - even down to his specially-waterproofed traditional leather fell boots. He will live on second century legionary rations - likely to include pork crackling, fish roe, bread and broth - and sleep in a Roman military dog tent.

Anthony said: "I'm really looking forward to my rigorous Roman challenge. One in three people suffer from some form of cancer meaning we all know someone who has been affected by this dreadful disease and I wanted to do my bit by raising money for such a worthy cause.

"There won't be a Tracker bar or a Lucozade in sight and wherever possible I'll be sleeping in the dog tent. I just thought going the whole way with the Roman theme would make it a bit more entertaining and hopefully raise some more cash."

Anthony, who works in Ian Allan Bookshop, in Manchester city centre, has begged and borrowed for his equipment and aims to raise more than £2,000 from his mission along the landmark which was commissioned by the Roman emperor Hadrian and stretches across the width of northern England.

He was due to leave from Wallsend, on the River Tyne, in the east of the country, today and is hoping to arrive in the Cumbrian town of Bowness-on-Solway, on the west coast, on Tuesday, walking around 15 to 20 miles each day.

Laura Watts, Cancer Research UK's area volunteer manager, said: "We're delighted Anthony has set himself such an unusual challenge for Cancer Research UK. He is set for a tough but enjoyable journey ahead."

To help boost Anthony's fundraising total visit www. justgiving.com/youreinthearmy .