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A Japanese man travelling around the globe on an emissions-free scooter to raise awareness about environmental protection has arrived in Box Hill in Surrey.

Other motorcyclists at the popular bikers' haunt in the North Downs were surprised to see Kanichi Fujiwara turn up on his tiny battery-powered Yamaha Passol.

Speed freaks were disappointed to learn that his two-wheeled machine of choice can only manage a top speed of 30 km/h and can travel just 40 km before it needs to have its battery recharged.

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Fujiwara set off from Japan on his 25,420 mile trip round the world in March 2004.

He is being accompanied by his wife Hiroko who is carrying spare batteries and most of their kit on her petrol-powered scooter.

Before he departed on this journey, which he expects will take three years to complete, Fujiwara told the AFP news agency that "I hope this trip will make people think about the natural environment."

The couple's route is also designed to take in "interesting trees" and as they departed Box Hill it was believed they were heading in the direction of a 1500 year old tree near Tunbridge Wells in Kent.