LANCASHIRE Hotpots frontman Bernard Thresher is swapping the microphone for his running shoes as he prepares to take on the Great Birmingham Run.

Bernard, lead singer of the St Helens comedy folk band, is busy organising his training schedule around touring across the North West and rehearsing with his fellow Hotpots for BBC Children In Need’s Carfest North Festival 2014.

Bernard will be raising money for BBC Children In Need when he takes part in the half-marathon event on October 19.

“I have done a half marathon before and finished in a respectable one hour 43 minutes, so if I can beat that I'll be reet chuffed,” said Bernard.

“Although I am a proud Lancastrian I now live and work in Coventry. I decided to run in the Bupa Great Birmingham Run because it will only cost me £4 for return train travel.”

Bernard has been involved with the Hotpots since the band’s inception in 2006. In this time, the folk group has released eight albums, with debut album ‘Never Mind the Hotpots’ reaching number one comedy album on iTunes and number two on the BBC6 Music Album charts.

Anyone who wishes to show their support for Bernard in his challenge and for Children In Need can donate at www.justgiving.com/thelancashirehotpots.