A PUB landlord who survived a rare cancer is taking on a charity challenge to say thank you to those who helped him recover.

Mike Holman says he feared for his life in 2012 when he was told he had cancer of the tonsils. The 47-year-old underwent three months of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, losing 11 stone in the process.

Mike, who runs the Cecil Arms in Saltash, says he wouldn't be here without the work of Cancer Research. He now plans to take on the 'Wet and Dry Challenge' to raise money for the charity.

Mike will set out from Bude on Monday to walk the coastal path around Cornwall to Saltash. His righthand man in the challenge will be pub regular Elliott Noble, 43, who will kayak the 320-mile route by sea while Mike is walking.

Keen paddler Elliott says he wants to support Cancer Research as he lost his stepmother to cancer and his father is also terminally ill with the disease.

Elliott and Mike will be accompanied by Mike's son Craig and friend James Locke, and the pair will also have support from family and friends in back-up vehicles. A support boat with Saltash Maritime Sea Cadets will accompany Elliott from Sennen to Mullion.