From man of batter to man of steel...

Alastair Horabin, owner of Seniors Fish and Chips on the Fylde coast

The owner of a string of famous Fylde coast chip shops is staying away from his traditional produce to tackle a gruelling Ironman challenge.

Alastair Horabin, 29, co-owns Seniors fish and chips, which has four restaurants on the Fylde coast, but is sticking to a grilled version of their famous fish as he gets in shape for Ironman 70.3 in Bolton.

This will see the businessman swim 1.2miles, cycle 56 miles and run a half marathon next month to raise money for Rotary and Red Marsh school.

He said: “We won Chip Shop of the Year in 2012 and had a fantastic time, but I looked at myself and thought I needed to get back into shape, so I started losing weight and running.

Alastair Horabin, owner of Seniors Fish and Chips, is tackling an Ironman triathlon

“I needed an operation on my hip in November but since then it has been full steam ahead.

“I’ve been sticking to grilled fish and chips, and focusing on what I can do to raise money for the charities.”

Dad-of-one Alastair has already shed 50lbs, and tackled lengthy runs and cycles to prepare him for the task ahead on July 20, but says the training has been a gruelling experience.

He has also had to couple the training with his wife’s pregnancy, as she expects to give birth to their second child in four weeks.

He added: “I’ve had to juggle running the business, being a dad, and getting up hills.

“Luckily I have a supportive family around me and when I have to go on my bike I get on it and go.

“The biggest challenge has been getting my head around what I’ve got to do and going on bike rides by myself in all sorts of weather.”

Mr Horabin hopes to raise £2,000 by the end of the race, and is tasking customers with guessing the time he will complete it in to win a year’s supply of fish and chips.

To sponsor him log on to http://www.justgiving.com/fromfryingtotrying