A former cable worker who is planning a solo round-the-world voyage admits the 'crazy' adventure will put his life at risk.

But Steve Barron, who lived on Locke Avenue and Crompton Avenue, Barnsley, says he has no fear of death and wants to show incredible feats can be achieved by ordinary people.

He has spent 18-months in Thailand preparing for the epic sea-borne journey, taking up Muay Thai kick-boxing as part of his fitness regime.

A wooden kayak with a pedal-powered paddle and a sleeping cabin is being built for him. He reckons the trip will take between six months and a year.

He wants to make it around the globe using only 'human power'. Speaking from Pattaya, Thailand, he told the Chronicle: "I'm going to use the old trade routes and trade winds, down past Singapore which will be the hardest bit because it's one of the world's busiest shipping routes.

"Then I'll go round the lower part of India and head down to South Africa."

There he hopes to pick up the trade winds to help him across the Atlantic and would like to stop at the Falkland Islands before continuing the journey on to Australia. "And it's all down hill from there," he said.

He has just £12,000 to fund the epic voyage and is aware there are many risks. "I know totally I might not make it round. There's a good chance I might die, but if I don't do it I will regret it for the rest of my life."

Full story in this week's Chronicle.