INTREPID Stourbridge charity walker Martin Baker has vowed to return and complete the Pennine Way after he was forced to pull out through injury after 90 miles.

But walking partner Richard Westwood, an airline pilot from Norton, continued the challenge and completed the gruelling 270 mile course in just nine days.

Martin, an office worker who lives in Oldswinford, admitted: "I was absolutely gutted but my ankle just gave way. I tried to continue walking on it, but it was impossible. I was in agony. I'm going back one day because there's unfinished business to complete.

"To be honest, we completely underestimated the task ahead of us and didn't take into account the weather. It rained pretty solidly for three days and that made things much tougher.

"I think my ankle injury was due to repetitive strain. I had to get the train back and then drove back up in the car to support Richard, meeting with him at various points.

"Richard was walking between 13 to 15 hours each day, but he never gave up and finished at the Scottish town of Kirk Yetholm as planned after starting out in Edale, Derbyshire.

He was quite emotional at the end, but everyone was very impressed by the amount of time he'd taken to complete the walk. People normally do it in a couple of weeks."

The pair have already raised £1,120 but hope to reach their target of £2,000 for chosen charity Medic Alert.

Anyone who would like to contribute can by going to http://www.justgiving.com/MARTIN-BAKER4