YOU name it - he's eaten it.

Tony Bennett has spent the past fortnight feasting on cakes, pasta and pastries in preparation for a tough 250-mile run through Death Valley in Nevada in aid of Leukaemia Busters.

And he will need every mouthful as he begins the 60-mile-a-day run in temperatures soaring to 45 degrees.

The 26-year-old former soldier, who now works as a construction worker in Ferndown, was motivated to take part in the event when he heard the story of little Erin Barry, four, who was diagnosed with a virulent form of leukaemia last July and underwent a successful course of chemotherapy.

And on Friday he set off on his adventure, joined by Gregg Phillips, 29, from Ferndown, who will be driving the support vehicle.

Speaking to the Daily Echo shortly before he left, Tony said: "I'm anxious and just want to get on with it. I stopped training two weeks ago and started trying to put on weight because I'll need to have something to burn off while I'm there.

"I've been eating everything - anything that's high in fat. But I've only put on half a stone. Up until then I was running 15 miles a day and Thai boxing five days a week."

Having experienced desert conditions during his army days, Tony is not worried about the heat and even plans to make the run more of a challenge by carrying a 10lb brick for the first 90 miles in a bid to smash a world record.

So far he has raised around £5,000 for the charity but he is adamant he will raise £500,000 for them as he considers more brave feats in the coming months. Barclays Estate Agents in Canford Cliffs have donated around £2,000 to the appeal and also helped fund Tony's travel arrangements.

Little Erin and her mum Michelle Keet waved him off on Friday.

Michelle said: "We wish him all the best.

"Erin understands that he is doing this to raise money for the people that made her better."

First published: October 26