A DANCER who tangoed his way from Banbury to Buenos Aires to raise money for charity has spoken about his "amazing" once-in-a-lifetime journey.

Aseem Bandali set off from the UK in December for an 80-day pilgrimage to the birthplace of tango in South America.

The former social worker, who has been practising Argentinian tango for nearly four years, started off in Oxford and travelled through France, Switzerland, Spain, Gibraltar and Morocco before reaching Argentina.

On his way he took part in a series of dance events, or "milongas", and collected more than £1,800 for charity Parkinson's UK.

The 42-year-old, who is a member of the Tango Aurora Oxford group based in Botley and Jericho, said: "The whole trip was amazing.

"I met some fascinating people and there were some great stories of kindness as well.

"It was great to catch up with people I know and make new friends at the same time.

"Paris was very interesting too because it was only a month after the bombings. I'd been there before but it was a lot quieter than I remembered."

Mr Bandali took up dancing after going to taster sessions with a former girlfriend when living in London, and then carried on when he moved to Oxfordshire.

His journey was inspired by his friend and fellow dancer Anthony Brown, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2008.

On his way, Mr Bandali also stopped off to volunteer for various projects in return for a meal and a bed.

Most unusually he spent time house-sitting for a person near Madrid where he looked after horses, goats and chickens.

The Banbury resident said: "I tried riding a horse bare back and managed to fall off it.

"It definitely didn't do my back any favours."

But he nearly became stuck on Christmas Day, when his car broke down just outside Valencia.

He said: "I had just pulled onto the motorway and the car just stopped.

"I had to call the recovery people to come and rescue me, it wasn't too great."

After his car broke down Mr Bandali missed his passenger ship due to take him from Morocco to Argentina, so instead caught a plane.

He said: "In Buenos Aires it was about 40 degrees, which is about as hot as it can get.

"By the time I got to Argentina I was dancing every day.

"Buenos Aires is the capital of tango as well, you'd get people going out late in the afternoon and then going to watch tango late at night."

The dancer left Argentina to come back home on February 15.

On April 23 he will be helping to organise a charity milonga at the Botley Women's Institute in North Hinksey, starting at 2pm.

The event will also raise money for Parkinson's UK.