Twenty-seven days after leaving St Jean Pied de Port, in Southern France, Mr Goodman, of Wilpshire, reached Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

He walked between 16 and 26 miles each day and on day one climbed to 1,700 metres within 20 kilometres having chosen to cross the Pyrenees by the arduous path known as "Napoleon's Route".

Bill (pictured) said: "It has been an amazing experience and I met fascinating people of all ages and nationalities, including a compatriot New Zealander who walked most of the way with me.

"Leaving each hostel every morning between 6 and 6-30 a.m. and carrying all my worldly goods, weighing 12kg, in a backpack has given me an insight into the feeling of homelessness.

"There was no supper and no bed for the night until I reached the next hostel – late arrival could mean the top of a three tier bunk, in a dormitory full of folk who snored!"

The East Lancashire Hospice is set to benefit from sponsorship money collected by Bill, who is on his way to achieving his £1,000 target. Donations can still be made through www.justgiving.com/compostelawalk or via the hospice, marked Compostela Walk. (s)