The Leader of Nottingham City Council is to walk the Pennine Way for charity – in just 10 days.

It usually takes at least three weeks to complete the famous 267-mile trek from Edale, Derbyshire, to Kirk Yetholm, Scotland.

By completing the feat in just 10 days, Councillor Jon Collins will be walking the equivalent of more than a marathon every day.

The challenge, starting on Friday 24 August, will raise funds for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library – a book-gifting scheme which provides a free book every month to children from birth to aged five.

The Imagination Library scheme is currently running in nine of the city’s 20 wards – but more funds are needed to extend it to the remaining 11 city wards.

A fund-raising target of £2,670 – £10 per mile – has been set up on a special Just Giving website www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/walkingthepennineway

Councillor Collins said: “I have no idea whether I’ll be able to do this or not. It’s a serious challenge. I’m fully expecting to be dead on my feet by the end of each daily marathon.

“But it’s all for a great cause. Getting children reading at an early age is important. Studies show that children who read at home go on to get better exam results, which means they have better job prospects when they leave school.”

Councillor Collins continued “It’s great that the Imagination Library is available in almost half the wards in the city, but we want every child to benefit from having these books.

“Any donations will be gratefully received and will really help to make a difference to Nottingham’s children.”