A rail enthusiast is today aiming to become the first passenger to spend 24 hours on London Underground by taking advantage of the Night Tube services.
Dave Lovering, 53, began his round-the-clock marathon on the first Hammersmith & City line train at 4.38am.
He will seek to avoid clicking out through the barriers until the same time tomorrow by travelling on the Victoria and Central lines through the night.
The father of four travelled from his home in Exeter to attempt the stunt, with which he hopes to raise funds for the Samaritans.
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He previously lived in Ealing for two years and said he was excited by the launch of 24-hour services.
“I still have a buzz every time I visit the city,” he told the Standard.
Asked if he planned to sleep on the Underground, he said: “I’m hoping the journey will keep me going.”
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Mr Lovering, an administrator in the recycling industry, has worked out where to find lavatories and snack bars without having to pass through a ticket barrier.
He said he was looking forward to sharing a carriage with revellers and shift-workers.
“You get boisterous people on the night bus. I don’t foresee any major problems,” he said.
“London is a thriving city. It does need the Night Tube at weekends. It will be beneficial for the city.
In lights: The Evening Standard has launched Late Night Standard to go alongside the start of Night Tube services"My son Ben is at Greenwich University. I think he will be getting it more often than I will.”