A SCIENCE teacher from North Axholme Secondary School is set to go head-to-head with Formula One championship leader Jenson Button in the London Triathlon next month.

Gerard Cater, 42, from Epworth, will endure a 1500m open water swim, a 40km cycle and a 10km in one of the biggest Olympic distance triathlons.

"About ten years ago I took part in a couple of sprint triathlon events which are much shorter so this is going to be a huge but exciting challenge," he said.

Mr Cater, who is head of Science at North Axholme School will be completing the 40km cycle stage with a bike he acquired through North Lincolnshire Council's cycle to work scheme, which leases bikes and equipment to employees over a 12-month period to use on the way to and from work.

"I have always been a keen cyclist but taking part in this scheme meant I could buy a high-tech bike which really spurred me on to take the sport more seriously," he said.

"I joined the council's cycle to work scheme because, at the age of 42, I'm keen to try and be as fit and healthy as I can.

"My father had a heart attack and sadly passed away when he was just 42, so I'm very conscious of the importance of keeping fit."

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