Residents may have spotted a man clad only in blue speedos, a swimming cap, an Everton scarf, and a pair of boots making his way through Cowbridge yesterday evening.

But it was not a matter for alarm, rather one of the country's most eye-catching fundraisers.

Michael Cullen, 56, perhaps better known as SpeedoMick, is currently on a 2,000-mile trek across the UK and Ireland.

The route began on 31 May in Stornoway in the Western Isles, to Edinburgh and Glasgow before heading across the Irish Sea to Belfast.

He toured Ireland before crossing back to North Wales, where he is currently en-route to Cardiff.

Yesterday SpeedoMick had planned a pitstop in North Connelly but made such good time he continued to Cowbridge.

After crossing the Severn he will then take in most major towns and cities across England before finishing in Liverpool, ending the five month journey.

As well as raising funds he will be looking for charities and good causes to give up to £250,000 to along the way through his charity – the SpeedoMick Foundation

"The reason I'm doing the tour is to give back to the people and the communities who have supported me in the past," says Michael.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has placed a huge strain on the finances of so many worthy charities and shone a light on how difficult life can be for a lot of young people in this country, whether because of a lack of food, money or opportunities. So I'll do anything I can to help."

"Homelessness, mental health and disadvantaged young people are issues very close to my own heart as I've been through those struggles and I know how hard it is to come out the other side.

"In my life, I've been in some dark, lonely, hopeless places and for me, one the most rewarding parts of my fundraising has been to help people who are facing what I have faced."

Learn more about SpeedoMick's fundraiser here