Pictured: Paul Roberts

A Worcestershire man is training to take part in the hardest footrace on the planet through the Sahara Desert - and in case that isn't a tough enough challenge he will be doing it all with an ironing board on his back.

Paul Roberts, 45, from Ockeridge, near Worcester, is set to take on the daunting 'extreme ironing' sport in the Marathon Des Sables in April which will see him running a marathon everyday for a week in temperatures of 50 degrees in Morocco.

The Commercial Director of a card and gift company believes he is the first person to attempt the 155 mile desert trek with an ironing board and iron - adding 3.5kg to an already bulging back pack.

Paul is no stranger to arduous physical challenges and takes part in martial arts, triathlons, windsurfing, cycling and kayaking. He has previously run five marathons, completed 50 triathlons and the Tour of Ireland cycle event.

The 6 ft 1in, 15 stone athlete says he is not a natural runner and it is the sport he finds the hardest but he won't let this deter him.

"I've dropped everything else in the last six months to concentrate on running. With a busy job and family life it's incredibly difficult to fit in enough training but it's a case of doing what you can, when you can."

"The event is incredibly tough for many, many reasons - it's over 150 miles on foot, temperatures up to and sometimes over 50 degrees, carrying everything you need other than water. There will be sand everywhere, blisters and possible heat stroke and serious dehydration to deal with. People have done it, young, old, short and tall but no-one that I know of has ever deliberately made it harder for themselves and certainly no-one has ever carried an ironing board and iron! That makes it something more, something unique and so mad that I'm hoping this will encourage people to sponsor me."

Paul says he is always looking for the ultimate personal challenge and was inspired by seeing a London marathon entrant running with an ironing board. He has already completed the 24-hour Mountain Mayhem cycle event at Eastnor Park complete with ironing board.

"That was extremely tough but I'd found my niche - take the most extreme challenges and add an ironing board."

Paul says he chose to fundraise for St Richard's Hospice as he is born and bred in Worcestershire and wanted to support such an important local charity.

"I've known people and relatives of friends who have been supported and cared for by St Richard's. I just think their work is invaluable. We all know that we are in strained financial times but St Richard's work will never decrease and local people need to make sure that they are able to continue."

Paul added, "I'm looking at this as a real adventure - it will certainly be the biggest challenge I've undertaken and I feel privileged to be able to be there for many reasons, including the good health that I've been blessed with that allows me to take part.

"Apparently the dunes are beautiful and the area is somewhere that you would never normally see - I can't wait. I'm not really nervous, I just want to get there and see what comes - I am after all looking for the ultimate challenge."

Paul hopes to raise £5,000 for St Richard's. To sponsor Paul go to http://www.justgiving.com/Paul-Roberts3

St Richard's Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for patients living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and supports their families. Each year the hospice team supports over 2,200 patients and family members in Worcestershire.

Patients are cared for in Day Hospice, the 16-bed In-patient Unit or in their own homes by a specialist professional team as well as many trained volunteers.

In the In-patient Unit specialist staff are on hand 24 hours a day to manage patients' symptoms and where, if they so choose, patients may spend the last few days of life in comfort and dignity. St Richard's is grateful for all donations towards the £5.4m they need to raise this year to continue their work.