Best foot forward for Fish and his fans

IT IS not quite the 500 miles promised by the Proclaimers, but rock star Fish has pledged to trek 96 miles with some of his fans in aid of charity.

The former Marillion frontman – real name Derek Dick – is to walk the West Highland Way later this month to raise money for the Children's Hospice Association Scotland (Chas).

Fish, 52, who lives in Haddington, said he was approached by fundraising group Another Way Around to tackle the long distance route linking Milngavie and Fort William.

Through his website he then enlisted the support of some friends and 25 fans, including some from California, Munich and the Netherlands, to join him on his trip from 22 May.

"We just asked a few people if they fancied doing the walk and the project grew and grew," he said. "I've never tackled the route before, but I've reached that time in life when you have to do the West Highland Way."

Chas runs two hospices in Scotland, Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch.

Fish is currently recovering from a throat operation which has left him unable to sing for the past nine months. He is now walking up to 20 miles a day and visiting the gym to prepare for his marathon project.

He added: "I just got the OK a month ago and I'm a bit gung ho. … I'm at the time of life where I want to live a bit longer."