A PEACE campaigner is attempting to sail through Marlow and Bourne End in a handmade craft, carrying a "magic egg" and spreading messages of love and unity.

Chris Park, 32, is planning on making a 190-mile pilgrimage for peace down the Thames and then towards the North Sea, in a primitive raft made from horse skin and sticks.

Mr Park, from Oxfordshire, said: "The idea of the journey is to spread messages of peace and unity between different faith groups along the way."

The professional story teller and musician plans to stop along the route to allow community groups, schools and churches of all faiths to meet him and give him their blessings for the egg.

Mr Park said: "The journey seeks to integrate and unite many divided faiths and cultures.

"It celebrates water as a unifying bond between all races, creatures and creeds, nourishing all and rejecting none. The waterways pass through all kinds of communities and I hope many will be inspired to come and greet the magic egg."

Mr Park believes river exploration runs in the family, citing Scottish explorer Mugo Park, as his relative, who navigated the African Niger river nearly 200 years ago. With only his raft, or coracle for shelter, Mr Park plans to set off on Wednesday from a spring in Oxfordshire and expects to pass through Marlow and Bourne End on Sunday, August 28.