OAP's 8000 Mile Hitchhike

Mike Howitt, a pensioner from Leicestershire, has arrived back in the UK after an 8,000 mile hitchhike.

The 80-year-old hitchhiked from Leicester to Cape Town in memory of his dead wife.

Wesley Smith went to meet him on his return.

Michael Sibert went to meet Mike Howitt in August, before he set off on his 3-month, 8000 mile hitchhike.

This was 80-year-old Mike Howitt's planned route from Leicester to Cape Town before he set off, and he says despite a few train cancellations in Europe, he was able to stick to his strict itinerary.

A pensioner from Leicestershire is safely back in the UK after hitchhiking 8000 miles from Leicester to Cape Town in memory of his dead wife.

Mike Howitt, who's 80, set himself the challenge to raise money for the LOROS hospice which helped provide respite care for his wife Diana in her final hours.

Mr Howitt is a seasoned international hitchhiker; when he did National Service he covered 12,000 miles, and had previously hitchhiked around the coast of South Africa from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, and in Israel around the Sea of Galilee.

This morning he's being welcomed home by members of the congregation at the Trinity Life Church in Leicester.