Mansfield pensioner a world record holder for being the oldest man to walk length of UK

Anthony Allsop from Mansfield now hold the Guinness World Record for being the oldest person to walk from Lands End to John O'Groats, pictured here with Darwin the mascot

Anthony Allsop, from Little Barn Lane in Mansfield, started his journey after his 75th birthday in July and finished the walk 56 days later on September 2, 2015.

He said: “I lived on chips, Mars bars and Guinness for two months and saw some wonderful scenery - every day was a highlight for me.”

The keen walker previously completed the challenge in reverse back in 1993 but things had to be done differently this time to take in to account his age.

Originally he was going to be completing his walk with a backpack but after finding he could not carry it for long periods of time Anthony bought himself a small van which he would sleep in at nights.

“I would park the van and then walk about 20 miles and at about 3 or 4pm I would then use public transport to make my way back to the van and drive it to where I had walked to rest and then do the same thing the next day.

“There were days when I didn’t get back to the days finishing spot until 8pm which made it very tiring.”

The dad of four, grandad of 12 and great grandad of 10 knew the record had been set by a 74-year-old over a decade ago and since then he has wanted to be the new record holder.

“Now I just need another certificate for being the oldest person to complete the route at 80.

“I am very proud to say I have done it, but as long as you are fit enough there is nothing stopping anyone having a go at a challenge like this.”

Anthony likes to walk alone and leaves his wife Beryl, 74, at home when during his adventures.

“She gets a bit of peace when I’m not there,” he said.

As a parting gift Beryl gave him a teddy bear - which he named Darwin - to be his mascot on the journey via the hills and canal routes as he said it was safer than attempting the main roads.

“There have been low points, I got shin splints and had to rest and yes there were blisters but the only way to cure them is to just keep walking through them and your feet toughen up.”

After battling prostate cancer 10 years ago Anthony said that walking keeps him fit and age should not stop him giving up something he loves.