BOXER Nick Blackwell, who two years ago had to learn to eat, talk and walk again after being injured in a sparring session in Devizes, is to take part in a sponsored charity skip at Erlestoke Prison.

Mr Blackwell, who on Sunday completed a half marathon in Weston Super Mare, is to join personal trainer Darren King as he tries to break the Guinness World Record for the most skips in a 12 hour period on April 24.

Prison staff and inmates will also take part in the skipathon that will run alongside the record attempt to raise money for the Samaritans from 8am to 8pm.

Mr King, from Worton, near Devizes, said: "I know Nick through boxing trainer Chris Long and when I contacted him about taking part he was really enthusiastic. He is very inspirational and when we went into the prison to discuss the skip you could see the respect he is held in by the prisoners."

Former British middleweight champion Mr Blackwell from Trowbridge was left fighting for his life after waking from a second coma in December 2016, having had surgery to reduce swelling on his brain.

He retired earlier in that year after being placed in an induced coma following a previous injury, suffered in a fight with Chris Eubank Jr.

Prison safer custody administrator Jane Clark, who will also be skipping, said: "We will be fund raising for The Samaritan’s with whom we work closely, providing support and training for our prisoner listener’s scheme as well as supporting offenders with the Samaritan’s telephone listening service via the dedicated phones available on the wings.

"Chris Long will run a pad-work workshop on the day, and Nick will help us raise interest and awareness of the issue of the disturbing rise in suicide, self-harm, and other mental health issues in the male population both in prisons and nationally within the general population."

Mr King, 39, who last year took the world record for the most skips in eight hours, will have to do 76,196 skips to take the 12 hour title.