The Countess of Wessex is taking on a 445-mile palace to palace cycle challenge from Edinburgh to London.

Sophie will pedal from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to Buckingham Palace on to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) award.

The Countess will complete the bike ride over seven days in September.

She is making the 445-mile journey for her DofE Diamond Challenge - an initiative which asks people to tackle something new to raise awareness and money for the award scheme.

The Countess said: "I am both excited and apprehensive to be undertaking this challenge on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Diamond Anniversary Appeal.

"I have seen for myself the incredible impact the DofE has on every young life it touches, equipping young people with self-belief and motivation whatever their background or ability.

"So I had no hesitation in taking on a Diamond Challenge and hope this will encourage others to try their own."

The Duke of Edinburgh, Sophie's father-in-law, set up the award programme in 1956, inspired his school days at Gordonstoun in Moray.

It has become one of the best known self-development and adventure schemes for 14 to 24-year-olds, with around 2.5 million awards achieved in the UK since its inception.

The Countess will cycle the route with a small team of servicemen and women from four of her military affiliations - RAF Wittering, 5th Battalion The Rifles, Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps, and the Corps of Army Music.