A dancing fundraiser from Bradford on Avon crossed the finish line of his 1,357-mile challenge on Saturday after facing a series of setbacks since starting nearly a year ago.

Ben Hammond, 35, who grew up in Bradford on Avon, set off from John O’Groats last August to dance the length of Britain and aimed to reach Land’s End in October.

But the teacher was knocked down by a drink-driver shortly after dancing through his home town of Bradford, and despite taking to the road again a few weeks later, a foot injury and broken toe forced him to postpone the challenge until this summer.

He started from Dorset earlier this month but took the decision to dance along the South West Coast Path to Land’s End to avoid further road accidents.

He said: “It was wonderful. I was joined by family and friends and it was a lovely feeling to get to the end.

“The heat was almost too much. It was brutal and there was nowhere to seek shade. I went through lots of water. I had to have 10,000 calories a day but it was difficult to eat that amount of food in that heat.

“People have been brilliant. If I was approached by a guy in a tutu I may have veered away. People had smiles on their faces, were donating and showing me dance moves.”

The former St Laurence pupil visited 30 schools during his challenge, talking to the children and getting them dancing.

“They helped inspire me. Everyone has been so kind. I remember sitting up in bed feeling terrible (after the accident) but planning how I was going to finish.”

Mr Hammond, who works at the Institute of Education in London, taught at a refugee camp in Burma in 2004 and was struck by his freedom but the lack of freedom in Burma.

He was determined to use his freedom to raise awareness and money for Burma charities and he said dancing was symbolic of that.

He has so far raised £42,000 to be split between Amnesty International, Burma Campaign UK, Partners Relief and Development and Prospect Burma.

To donate visit www.dancebritain.com