Ananova:

A Devon man is set to make his first trip abroad - on a skateboard.

Sam Benson, 20, is planning to skate 2,500 miles across five European countries in 10 weeks.

He will skate off on his longboard from his home in Westward Ho!, north Devon, at the beginning of July.

After a Channel Tunnel trip to Calais he will continue through France and Switzerland, cross the Alps into Italy, then skate via Marseille to Spain.

He will cross the Pyrenees to Barcelona, then travel through Valencia and Madrid to end his trip in the Santander in mid-September.

He said: "I have been skating for almost 11 years and although I enjoy it, it has never really taken me anywhere.

"I have never left the UK - this will be my first time."

He will be joined in Paris by professional longboarder Adam Colton, from Los Angeles, who will skate more than 3,000km with Sam.

Mr Benson will raise cash for the Link Community Development, the Lowe Syndrome Trust and Sailability Australia.