AN ADVENTUROUS biker will visit the scene of one of the world's worst nuclear disasters on his way to the arctic to raise money for children with disabilities.

John Peers, 59, of Bwlchgwyn is riding to the world's most northerly fishing village, Skarsvåg in Norway, via a circuitous route which will take him through Bosnia, Moldova, and Chernobyl near the Ukraine border with Belarus.

The Leader:

The distance between Bwlchgwyn and Skarsvåg in Norway. Picture: Google Maps

He will also have a stop over at Dracula's castle in Transylvania for part of the trip.

Two years ago Mr Peers, an insurance broker who writes columns for the Leader, took a 5,000 mile ride to the Arctic Circle.

He travelled from Wrexham to Dover, through the Channel tunnel before travelling through France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark and Sweden, boarding a ferry to Helsinki in Finland, riding through Lapland and finishing in Narvik, Norway.

This time Mr Peers aims to go even further to raise £3,000 for the Lady Taverners charity which gives money to help children with disabilities.

He said: "I'm doing the trip for two reasons really.

"I only got as far as the Arctic Circle last time and I wish I'd had the time to go above it - which I will this time by going to Skarsvåg, which is about 500 miles further above.

"But prior to this I will be travelling through Bosnia, Chernobyl and then up through Ukraine and Belarus.

"It will be interesting to see what Chernobyl is like.

"Some of these places you would not have been able to go to 20 years or so ago, and you would not have dreamt of attempting it.

"Moldova is still a bit dangerous but it saves on the round trip."

The trip will take 30 days to complete and Mr Peers sets off on his travels on May 25.

On his Eastern journey he will be sporting a custom made helmet and Honda bike with the Lady Taverners logo on it, sponsored by Bill Smith Motors.

Actor and former Coronation Street star Ian Puleston-Davies and the Blood Bikes charity are also set to give Mr Peers a send-off before he embarks on his quest.