A TROWBRIDGE man who spent an entire trip abroad plagued by insect bites is to stand naked at the mercy of thousands of midges this summer all in the name of charity.

Steve Baxendale is planning to bare all for one hour at an as yet unnamed Scottish resort, in the hope of raising money for the Italian conservation charity Naucrates.

Those putting up sponsorship money will be asked to predict the final number of bites on Mr Baxendale's body.

The challenge has resulted from Mr Baxendale's 11-week trip to Koh Phra Thong, an island off the coast of Thailand, to help Naucrates in its work with the island's sea turtles.

The trip was short-lived as Mr Baxendale left the island in February 2001 after nearly three months of torment by midges, sand flies and mosquitos.

He said: "My ankles were bitten to pieces. I hadn't had a night of sleep undisturbed by mad itching for the whole of my 11 weeks on the island."

However, Mr Baxendale said he is now going to make up for his absence with the challenge, which he hopes will raise in excess of £10,000 for Naucrates.

He said: "I would like to repay them in some way, to do something for all the lost time.

"It is not going to be pleasant but I think it is a challenge that people will happily pay money for me to endure."

Mr Baxendale said that he was taking the desperate measures as Naucrates needs vital support.

He said: "The project is short of resources. Upon my return, I wanted to send some wind-up torches to the island to avoid the pile of batteries that the project generates by its programme of night-time beach patrols. That was before I discovered they cost £40.

"Other items that could be put to good use would be things such as binoculars and walkie-talkies.

"I want to hear from anyone willing to sell tickets for me or to donate equipment, prizes and money to the charity."

Mr Baxendale can be contacted on (01225) 359399.