A DRIVING instructor is planning to swap four wheels for two and cycle coast-to-coast within a day.

On an average Saturday, John Rouse can be found taking learner drivers through their three-point turns and parallel parking, but this weekend, he will opt for simpler transport to get him the 140 miles from one side of the country to the other.

Mr Rouse, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, will set off at 2.30am on Saturday, from Whitehaven, Cumbria, and aims to reach Sunderland 14 hours later.

He said: "I have done this before over two or three days and I have always said I would do the journey in one day."

Although he works as a driving instructor by day, by night he is a regular singer in the region's workingmen's clubs.

WMC members have so far helped him raise more than £1,000 for the venture, which he will donate to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Mr Rouse is also being sponsored by his family and friends and the Durham Driving Instructors' Association.

To sponsor him, call 0191-389 2586.