Dave Cornthwaite pictured with his board in Perth

Graphic designer Dave Cornthwaite, 26, from Swansea, is on a coast-to-coast expedition from Perth to Brisbane on his skateboard.

On Saturday he completed a three-week trip through Australia's inhospitable deserts of the Nullabor Plain.

His journey started on 20 August and followed on from a skateboarding trip from John O'Groats to Lands End.

Mr Cornthwaite, from St Thomas, Swansea, said he had to contend with "enormous road trains, gusting headwinds, hot temperatures, roadkill, and fatigue.

"I knew the Nullarbor would be one of the toughest parts of this journey. So many people told me it was impossible and that I wouldn't make it but that just made me even more determined," he said.

He skated more than 450 miles (724km) in temperatures which were scorching by day and freezing at night.

Mr Cornthwaite plans to reach Brisbane in the New Year, claiming a new skateboarding distance record, while raising �50,000 for charity.

He has two support vehicles during his trip and has set a 30 miles (48km) per day schedule.

After only taking up skateboarding in March 2005, Mr Cornthwaite said he was inspired to skateboard and raise money for charity after wanting to finish his nine-to-five job.

His charities are the Lowe Trust, Sailability Australia and Link Community Development.