Man to walk 1000 miles to prove his love for girlfriend who dumped him

Chart-toppers The Proclaimers have inspired a lovesick Italian to walk 500 miles - and back again - to woo his ex-girlfriend.

Mario Balducci, 58, vowed to trudge to Rome and back after his girlfriend dumped him.

Mario, from the northern Italian town of Bolzano, was unsure how to get back in her good books after an angry row.

But he was suddenly inspired when the Scottish duo's song 500 Miles came on his car radio.

The lyrics include: "I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more, just to be the man who walked 1,000 miles to fall down at your door.'

Mario said: 'I decided it would be a fantastic way to prove I love her.

'It's around 500 miles to Rome from here, and 500 back, and I hope when I get back she will have forgiven me.'