The Bishop of Ramsbury, the Rt Rev Edward Condry, is planning to cycle 172 miles in two days to raise money for Christian Aid.

The Rt Rev Condry and his cycling partner the Bishop of Swindon, the Rt Rev Lee Rayfield, will set off from Trowbridge at 8am on April 12 and will return to their starting point on April 13 in the early evening.

During the gruelling challenge they will visit 16 county locations including Amesbury, Pewsey and Marlborough to raise awareness of Christian Aid Week, which runs from 12-18 May and is themed “Bite Back at Hunger”.

The Rt Rev Condry said: “I met Bishop Rayfield because we are both bishops of different parts of Wiltshire and we discussed what we could do for Christian Aid.

“We are keen cyclists so this seemed like a good idea at the time, although as the date draws closer it doesn’t seem quite so great.”

Despite his reservations, the task should not be too difficult for Bishop Condry as he has previously cycled the 1,500-mile journey from Olympia in Greece to the Olympic Stadium in London.

He said: “We look forward to our journey around our beautiful county.

“We have both been training hard for this worthy cause, and we will probably burn about 10,000 calories during the trip – equivalent to roughly 100 bananas.”

Dr Rayfield said: “As well as the physical challenge, we are undertaking a pilgrimage of Wiltshire.

“This is a journey in solidarity with the poor around the world and a way of thanking and encouraging those who volunteer on their behalf every Christian Aid Week.”

They have been promised food and drink by churchgoers in the 16 county stops including a bacon sandwich in Warminster where the Bishop of Ramsbury lives.

He said: “Everybody has been supportive and we are hopeful that lots of people will be about to offer us support and encouragement.”

To sponsor them, visit www.justgiving.com/bishopsonbicycles.