IT IS a fitting tribute to a much-loved son.

Ten years after cycling around England with family and friends Mel Dadswell is getting back in the saddle for a marathon tour of the country.

This time, however, Mr Dadswell and friend Andrew Bedford will be swapping muscle power for motorbike power to take them to the four corners of England.

Their efforts, which will take them around the coast and borders of England, are being dedicated to the memory of Mr Dadswell's son, Luke, who died in 1999 aged just 20.

Luke, who was a haemophiliac, contracted HIV and Hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood transfusions, and died as a result of complications from the diseases.

Mr Bedford, 53, of Owermoigne, said the ride was seen as a fitting tribute to the young man who lived life to the full and faced up to his illnesses.

"It's 10 years ago that we rode around England on push bikes. There was a team of six then, but this time it's only Mel and me. We have gone for motorbikes because we are 10 years older.

"That time we did it for the Haemophilia Society, because Luke had haemophilia. Luke has since passed away so as it's the 10th anniversary of the run we thought we would commemorate that and Luke," said Mr Bedford.

He said the pair had had a lot of support from friends and family who agreed it would be a fitting tribute to carry out a new ride 10 years after the first.

Mr Dadswell, also 53, who lives in Crossways with his wife Janet, said he believed Luke would be proud of his latest exploits - dubbed the English Endeavour - and would probably have wanted to come along.

"He used to go out biking with us so he probably would have wanted to come with us," said Mel.

Last time the tour, which saw Luke, swimming 100 lengths a day at each place they stopped, took 21 days and raised in the region of £12,500 for the Haemophilia Society. This time all the money collected will be donated to the Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester.

The pair aim to motorbike around 1,400 miles in four days and will have to do an average of around 350 miles a day if they are to complete the challenge.

"We don't expect to raise as much money this time, but it will all be donated to the hospice, which is a good local charity," said Mr Bedford.

Coffee will be served at Owermoigne Cricket Club before the intrepid duo set off on their anti-clockwise tour of England, from the village green at 7am on Thursday.

They are due to arrive back in Dorset on the Sunday evening when the completion of their journey will be marked with a barbecue at the cricket club.

Anyone wishing to support the adventure is urged to contact either Mel on (01305) 853253, Andrew on (01305) 853102 or Owermoigne Cricket Club on (01305) 854096 evenings only.