Computer expert Martin Gibson is riding 8,000 miles to Mongolia on a 125cc motorbike to raise funds for a children's charity.

Mr Gibson, 23, and friend James Symes, 29, are setting off later this month with 200 teams as part of the Mongol Rally.

They have 40 days in which to complete their journey and have arranged five different visas so they can complete the trip.

Mr Gibson, a former pupil of Magdalen College School, starts work as an IT consultant for a City bank in September.

But before then, he plans to raise funds for the Christina Noble Children's Foundation, which helps children get education and medical care in Vietnam and Mongolia.

And if 200 people join Mr Gibson's Facebook group on the Internet, he will ride around Oxford dressed as Batman.

Mr Gibson, of Hurst Rise Road, Botley, said: "I thought I would dress up as Batman because the children of Mongolia need superheroes too.

"I could be working in an office for the next 40 years, so this could be my last crazy adventure."

Mr Gibson said the preparations for the trip got off to a terrible start when his imported Russian Minsk motorbike blew up on the M25.

He said: "That wasn't a great start, but I have bought a Honda 125cc bike for £600 as a replacement."

Mr Gibson and Mr Symes, from Kent, will set off from London on Saturday, July 21.

They are hoping to raise more than £1,000 for the foundation.

Anyone who wants to make a donation can visit the website www.mongolbikers.com