A SUPER-HEAD from Walton is set to test his body to the limit by taking on a gruelling half ironman challenge.

Benedick Ashmore-Short, principal of Hamford Primary Academy, has signed up for the daunting sports marathon to push himself, inspire his pupils and raise money for charity.

He will first dive into a 1.9km open water swim, before jumping on his bike for a 90km cycle race.

Once he completes the cycle section, he will leap off the bike and run a half-marathon.

Mr Ashmore-Short said: “It’s nice to be able to show the children at school that you can do anything, even those things that look daunting and you don’t think you’ll be able to achieve."

He has been training every day, sneaking sessions in before work and later at night in an effort to achieve his seven-hour target time.

Mr Ashmore-Short was named Primary Headteacher of the Year at the national teaching awards for 2014 after inspiring a spectacular turnaround at Hamford.

He helped pull the school from special measures to a “good”rating by watchdogs in record time.

The awards were televised and his ironman plans were mentioned on air.

Mr Ashmore-Short is aiming to raise £2,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, in memory of his father-in-law, by taking part in the Ironman 70.3 Wimbleball event, held in Exmoor National Park.

He added: “They say this is the toughest half-ironman in the world because of the hills, so I’m not quite sure what I’ve let myself in for. But it was mentioned on TV at the awards ceremony, so it’s tough to back out now!”

To donate, go to justgiving.com/Benedick/