A CASUAL Boris bike user has turned keen amateur cyclist in a bid to peddle across Lao to help clear landmines.

David Tymm, of Peircing Hill, had an impassioned conversation with a stranger in a pub about unexploded bombs in the Southeast Asian country.

The digital payments chief executive decided to take to the saddle to help the Mine Advisory Group (MAG) clear away live bombs left during the U.S. Airforce's 580,000 bomb mission from 1964 to 1973.

The 54 year-old said: "I met somebody about a year and a half ago and he saw my cycling helmet. He told me about the charity and how Laos suffered this awful bombing campaign during the Vietnam war.

"Every day at least 9 people are killed or injured by a landmine or bomb. Over half are children.

"Millions more people live in fear of death or injury, unable to make a living and trapped into poverty by the legacy of war and conflict.

"This is not fair, and it is not right."

On February 3 Mr Tymm will head off on a five day cycle across Laos. He hopes to raise £5,000 in the process.

To donate, go to tinyurl.com/yblwwdj7