Country and western fanatic Bob Jones, 58, could not even ride a horse 18 months ago - but he has already covered 220 miles of his epic journey.

Accompanied only by his two horses Cody and Tigers, Mr Jones, from Longwell Green, in south Gloucestershire, started his adventure in North Dakota on July 31 and hopes to finish in El Paso, Texas, in December.

Mr Jones was inspired to embark on the ambitious trip through treacherous terrain as he sat on his sofa listening to his favourite country singer Marty Robbins.

Mr Jones' proposed route spans thousands of miles across deserts, mountains and desolate plains.

To take on the challenge, Mr Jones shed two-and-a-half stone and enrolled at local Western riding school The Mendip Stud.

He will have to face harsh mid-western temperatures - soaring to 121F (49.4C) by day and falling past minus 50F (minus 45.5C) at night.

Mr Jones has just emerged from the Badlands - a group of treacherous mountains notorious for their dry, sparse terrain.

He said: "It's been pretty tough but I'm doing fine. It's very isolated and I didn't see many people, but it doesn't really bother me - it's been absolutely wonderful. You're so busy all the time, you don't dwell on the loneliness."

The mayor of El Paso will greet him at the end of his trip with a parade including live music and, bizarrely, a police escort.