A MAN with a passion for wartime adventures is preparing to trek across a notorious mountain escape route used by Allied bomber crews during the Second World War.

Jimmy May will tackle the Freedom Trail through the Pyrenees range this summer — and he wants to hear from war veterans with experiences of the route.

The trail, which led shot-down airmen out of France and into the safety of Spain, was one of the hardest escape options of the time. French guides would lead the airmen — who often jumped off moving trains at the right spot to begin their march— on night-time ascents amid freezing temperatures.

Nowadays it is a well-known, but nevertheless challenging, trek.

Mr May from Peachcroft, Abingdon, said: “One of the things I like doing is following in the footsteps of the people I consider heroes.

“On July 7, I will be walking the Freedom Trail. It’s a well-trodden path, but I will be doing it alone. It’s about 60 miles and will take five days.

“Before I go, I’m looking to talk to anybody who has a connection with Oxfordshire and the Freedom Trail.”

Last year, Mr May, 48, and a friend from New Zealand followed in the footsteps of British Second World War hero Ivan Lyon by recreating Operation Jaywick, in which Allied commandos canoed into Singapore Harbour from neighbouring islands to destroy Japanese ships.

To get in touch with Mr May, call the news desk on 01865 425445 or email news@oxfordmail.co.uk tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk