A MAN walking around the Great Britain coastline for charity had to halt his journey at Whitstable after thieves stole his equipment.

Neville Dewson, 63, set off from Llandudno in April and was more than halfway along the 4,000-mile trip when he stopped off in Whitstable.

He had planned to stay overnight in the town but when he arrived at his destination in Regent Street his hosts were out and he hid his rucksack in the front garden while he went shopping.

When he returned just over an hour later it, and his tent, camping equipment and clothes, had disappeared.

Mr Dewson, known as Nifty Nev, said: "It was a very foolish thing to do and it has meant a great loss to me.

"I had been on the road for 68 days and I had written and recorded memories along the way for a book I planned to write. Those notes have gone and they were irreplaceable."

Anyone with information about the theft should call Canterbury police on 01227 762055 or Crimestoppers, free and confidential, on 0800 555 111.