One man and his dog off on a very long walk

12:02pm Saturday 2nd February 2008

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THE moment finally arrived for Weymouth teenager Seb Green when he took the first steps on his round-Britain walk.

A nervous but excited Seb broke through the starting tape at Overcombe Corner to the sound of cheers and headed east on his mammoth journey, which is expected to take at least 10 months.

With his dog Flash at his side and a 23kg rucksack on his back, the 18-year-old from Littlemoor is walking for a purpose.

Seb was rescued from the Fleet by the coastguard in 2005 after he took a boat from Weymouth Harbour and ran aground.

He's turned his life around since then with the help of the Youth Offending Team and Duke of Edinburgh's Award workers, and is now keen to promote safety messages to other young people.

He planned the walk as a way of giving something back and hopes to raise £20,000 for charity - the amount equivalent to the cost of his rescue.

The money will be shared between the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and the Starlight Children's Foundation.

The walk was due to start last November but had to be delayed.

As well as a support team in Dorset, a network of volunteers is on standby around the country to offer Seb help if he needs it.

But the youngster, a recent recruit to the Territorial Army, is determined to do as much as he can on his own.

"I'm quite nervous," Seb admitted before he set off yesterday.

"I can't believe the day's actually here. I've been waiting so long to get going."

He was expected to sleep in a tent near Corfe Castle tonight and has been offered a room at the RNLI Lifeboat College in Poole on Sunday.

"After that I'll camp where I drop," Seb said. "My plan is to do about 100 miles a week."

Duke of Edinburgh Award officer for Dorset Mary Harper said businesses and individuals had rallied round to offer Seb their support.

She added: "Seb is determined to be as independent as possible but he's aware the support is there if he needs it.

"We can't predict what's going to happen. It will be so easy to pick up a silly injury.

"But I know he will give it his best shot. If anyone can do it, Seb can."

People can keep track of Seb's progress by visiting the website: www.sebsodyssey.org.uk