A NORTH Berwick man came up with a novel idea of raising money for Children in Need – riding a penny farthing while dressed as a leprechaun!

Harry Muir completed a near-five-mile cycle and thought the fancy dress would be eye-catching.

He told the Courier how he came up with the unique fundraising idea.

Mr Muir said: “I bought this penny farthing and I thought I’d do something [for Children In Need].

“It is a good cause and it is about kids in this country as well, so I thought ‘why not?’ “Normally I put on period dress to ride the penny farthing – it’s not something I do every day – but I have a leprechaun costume so I thought I would just put that on.”

His cycle to the Archerfield Estate, which began at his home on Highfield Road, was not the first time that Mr Muir – a driver by day who does not use a car for personal use, preferring to cycle around – has taken on a charity venture.

“It’s not the first time I’ve done something but it’s been a few years,” he said, adding that he had “dived with sharks and driven a Formula 2 car” in previous charity outings.

The 66-year-old has raised more than £300 and told the Courier he expected more donations to come in.