A VETERAN travelling around the coast of Britain on a mobility scooter is appealing to West Dorset businesses to give him a helping hand.

Mark Newton is more than 7,000 miles into his charity challenge accompanied by his two cats Smudge and Missy but has hit a snag after his accommodation in West Bay and Charmouth fell through.

He is due to reach Preston, in Weymouth, on Friday, May 23 and hopes to be in West Bay on Sunday, 25 and travel to Charmouth on Bank Holiday Monday.

Mr Newton, who is raising money for a number of armed forces charities, including Help for Heroes, said: “I know it’s the Bank Holiday that weekend so I’m worried there may not be much accommodation available at short notice.

“My plans fell through at the last minute so if anyone can help, I would be very grateful if they could get in touch.”

Mr Newton, 48, contacted the Bridport News to help publicise his plea.

He added: “I just need somewhere to plug in my electric scooter. I’m not too fussy.”

The fundraiser, from Swansea, started his challenge in Wales last year and his specially adapted scooter tows a caravan for his cats to sleep in.

He is raising money for military charity SSAFA, the RNLI, Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes and his regiment, 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards.

He injured his leg while on duty with the UN in Cyprus and retired from the army in 1991.

For details, visit www.aroundbritain.org.uk or email mark@aroundbritain.org.uk