A TELEVISION producer who lost his leg in a landmine explosion is planning to cycle through Death Valley to raise more than £15,000 for charity.

Stuart Hughes, 33, (pictured) a BBC World Affairs producer from Drayton Gardens, West Ealing, lost his leg in a landmine explosion in 2003 while covering the war in Iraq. Now he and his four team mates are planning to cycle through California's Death Valley, which is one of the hottest places on earth, to raise £15,000 for the Mines Advisory Group (MAG).

He says: "As a landmine survivor myself, I am proud to support MAG's efforts to rid the world of these horrific weapons. By doing this gruelling challenge, we hope to raise enough funds to help clear the real death valleys those areas across the world that are blighted by landmines."

Death Valley has summer temperatures averaging well over 100 Fahrenheit and has an annual rainfall of only 1.96 inches.

Stuart is currently cycling 100 miles a week in preparation for the Death Valley challenge and will lead a team of four other cyclists on the 200-mile trip through the valley in November this year.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Stuart and his team can email Julia Wright at MAG at maguk@mag.org.uk