MUSICIAN Chris Roberts is planning to busk his way from John o'Groats to Land's End.

The Dorchester singer-guitarist - best known by his nickname of Kipper - will set out next April and will ensure his route includes a stop in Dorchester before he finishes at the end of the summer.

Kipper said: "I'm really looking forward to it. Woody Guthrie is my hero and he did something like this across America. So I want to do this from John o'Groats to Land's End playing Woody Guthrie songs.

"He did about 3,000 and I know quite a few, so I'll be working on some more before next year."

Kipper, 38, said he wanted to raise money for Amnesty International because he supports the work the charity does in campaigning to protect human rights.

He said: "I want to raise as much money as possible. I reckon that on a good day I could collect £40."

Kipper will be taking a tent along with his guitar to pitch camp en route.

Supporter Nick Wimberley, a Dorchester builder, is already contacting Amnesty groups along the route.

Mr Wimberley said: "We want to get local knowledge to find out the best places to busk and the music pubs as well as places to stay.

"We're looking for sponsorship to cover Kipper's costs - he'll probably need about £2,500. Everything he collects by busking will go into a special Amnesty International account each day."

Kipper, who works as a care assistant, said: "I hope to do about 10 miles a day so I'll be working on getting fit before the start. I don't see it as a challenge because I know I'm going to enjoy it. I can't wait to get on with it and I hope it will raise a lot of money."

They are planning a concert in Dorchester to start the busk and will round it all off with another fundraising special.

Kipper, of Salisbury Mews, will be sporting Amnesty International T-shirts and ID on his big busk and hopes friends and supporters will walk with him along parts of the route.