He has slept in garages, bus shelters and doorways during an epic 6,500-mile trek around Britain.

But a shed at a family home in Oulton provided some welcome salvation for former soldier Christian Nock after he arrived in Lowestoft. And yesterday, on day 297 of his walk round the coastline of mainland Britain, he was given a hero's welcome at the most easterly point – Ness Point in Lowestoft.

Completing the challenge unaided to raise money for the Help for Heroes charity, Mr Nock has been sleeping rough for almost 300 days as he continues an anticlockwise walk of Britain's coast.

Mr Nock, from Lichfield, Staffordshire, set off from Blackpool on August 8 for a trek, which is expected to take another year to 18 months to complete.

He decided to begin the mission to highlight the plight of homelessness of ex-soldiers. He said: 'I was on the verge of homelessness when I set off, and I thought if I am going to be homeless then I might as well do it in style and raise some money for a good cause. The only thing I had was my army kit that I had kept since I left the Staffordshire Regiment in 1998, so I put on my boots and started walking. I am now on my 10th pair of boots.'

After arriving at Ness Point, he was greeted by an appreciative crowd and Lowestoft mayor Nick Webb, who handed over a Mayor bear. Mr Webb said: 'I am delighted to have the opportunity to welcome him to the most easterly point of Britain – our town of Lowestoft. What he is doing is phenomenal.'

Starting and finishing his journey in Blackpool, Mr Nock has already raised more than £65,000 for the charity. And as he made his way to Great Yarmouth for the weekend, he added: 'I'm looking forward to seeing some of my family and old friends in Yarmouth.'

To find out more, visit www.christianaroundbritain.co.uk