When Hugh Clearhill heard a weary traveller knocking on a neighbour's door, he thought it must be someone looking for directions or needing to use the phone.

Instead, when the 46-year-old went to investigate, he was confronted at his home near Otterburn, Northumberland, by a French-Canadian who has been walking around the world for the past six years,

Jean Beliveau was looking for a place to pitch his tent, and called at Hugh's house, at Ray Lees, to rest his aching limbs.

The 51-year-old set off from Montreal, Canada, at 9am on August 18, 2000. He has since trekked through North and South America, from the tip of South Africa to Morocco in the North, and through Southern Europe into Ireland and Scotland - 23,000 miles in total.

As part of his minutely-detailed schedule, Mr Beliveau crossed the border into the North-East on Saturday and made his way down to Otterburn, where he began looking for a place to get some rest.

Pushing his small tent, sleeping bag and other necessities in a three-wheeler baby stroller, he knocked on Hugh's neighbour's door and the family went to investigate. Mr Beliveau explained what he was doing, and, after setting up his bed in the stables, joined the family for a cup of tea.

The intrepid walker is carrying out his epic journey to raise awareness for "peace and non-violence to the profit of the children of the world".

The trip is scheduled to take 12 years to complete, and the former neon-sign salesman is aiming to be in London on the six-year anniversary of the start.

Yesterday's leg saw Mr Beliveau - who has been joined by son Thomas Eric for a few weeks - leave Ray Lees on the way to Newcastle Airport - passing through Kirkwhelpington, Belsay and Ponteland.

All of his exploits around the world are faithfully updated daily by his partner of 20 years, Luce Archambault, as an online diary recording the places he has visited and pictures of the people he has met.

He said: "It has been great walking through Northumberland for the last two days - I'm delighted to be in England and had a very nice stay with the people in Otterburn. It is the people that make this walk for me. A lot of people are following me and giving me their support, so I cannot give up now, but my mind is already feeling like I am almost home.

"I have two grandchildren I have never seen but I'm enjoying my walk and the message of peace. I have been to some amazing places - walking though the Andes, the desert in Chile - but I loved Africa, where I met so many happy, smiling children."

Hugh, an environmental policy officer for Northumberland County Council, said he and his wife Bronwen, 46, and his three daughters Megan, 14, Bryony, 11 and Rosie, nine, were amazed by Mr Beliveau's epic tale.

"We went to see what this man wanted and he just said `I've been walking around the world and I was wondering if I could pitch my tent.' None of us could believe what we were hearing.

"He came in and sat down and told us all about his trip - the kids just sat there amazed by what he was saying. It's certainly the most unusual visitor we have ever had."

• Today Mr Beliveau aims to reach Newcastle, where he will stop and spend some time telling people about the peace message. Visit http://www.wwwalk.org.

Page 2: Bowes man features among most intrepid walkers