BARRY welcomed cricketing legend Ian 'Beefy' Botham into the town last weekend.

The renowned charity fund-raiser strolled into the Vale of Glamorgan on Friday as part of his 326 mile walk in aid of the Noah's Ark Appeal - a campaign that hopes to fund the first-ever children's hospital in Wales.

After a brief pit stop at the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel, Beefy was up and about and ready to set off on the last leg of his journey.

The morning of Saturday April 27 saw him head off from the Barry Leisure Centre to thunderous applause.

And boy, did he move.

He ate up the road in front of him as he strode out from Dock View Road, up Thompson Street and through Holton Road, heading for Penarth and then on to Cardiff.

But even though he was focused on the task ahead of him, Ian still had breathe to talk to the News about his efforts.

He said: "I've been looking forward to this part of the walk since the start. The weather is being good to us so far, and I'm anticipating a wonderful end in Cardiff."

Ian took on this walk with no extra training to his usual fitness routine. But to watch him pace his way at barely slower than a run, I asked him what kept him going.

He said: "There have been rumours we aim to raise around £250,000. But we're actually looking at more like £900,000. It's been so well supported. The appeal is a good cause. I keep that in mind and put one foot in front of the other."

The walk went through Penarth, over the Barrage and on to Cardiff Bay, where Ian was joined by Swansea stunner Catherine Zeta-Jones and the angelic Charlotte Church.

Together, they braved the last few miles to Cardiff Castle, and the ultimate end of the mammoth Welsh walk.