The Apocalypse Window Cleaner

Ian Coulthard, 46, from Gateshead, has trained himself to live in the wild as he prepares for an apocalypse.

Window cleaner spends 10 years burying secret stashes of supplies in woods across UK because he says he has to be ready for the Apocalypse: Ian Coulthard, 46, has been preparing for an apocalypse for last 10 years, fearing social and economic ruin, he has trained himself to live in the wild. Mr Coulthard, who was in the Territorial Army, said: 'Not everyone is preparing for an apocalypse. It's just a very possible scenario'

A window cleaner has been preparing for an apocalypse for the last decade – even burying secret stashes of supplies in woodlands all over the UK. Ian Coulthard, 46, has trained himself to survive in the wild, fearing social and economic collapse could come in the next 20 years. The bachelor, from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, has pinpointed around 35 spots in Scotland, northern England and Wales, where he could seek refuge if his safety is threatened.

Mr Coulthard has always been interested in the outdoors, but in recent years he has become more wary of the potential for 'social and economic chaos' to wreak havoc.

Speaking for the first time about his survivalist lifestyle, he said: 'I am preparing for the scenario where you have to get out of your house fast. 'I have places I can go - safe places - where I have food and first aid supplies stashed, which can last me up to 10 days. 'Not everyone is preparing for an apocalypse. It's just a very possible scenario. 'In the last decade alone, we have had floods, drought, riots and recession, so I hope people can see how prepping is an important aspect of anyone's life.'

Mr Coulthard has always been interested in the outdoors, but in recent years he has become more wary of the potential for 'social and economic chaos' to wreak havoc. His fears include terrorism, a major virus and civil war breaking out in Britain.

Mr Coulthard first got a flavour for the wild when he was in the Territorial Army, for six years in his 20s and again for 10 years, from aged 35 to 45, doing two tours of Afghanistan.

Mr Coulthard, who now runs his own window cleaning business, first got a flavour for the wild when he was in the Territorial Army, for six years in his 20s and again for 10 years, from aged 35 to 45, doing two tours of Afghanistan. He believes the military training and survival skills he has developed himself will help him survive in the wild. And, a decade ago, he started finding secluded places around the UK, keeping a record of each location, meanwhile honing his survival skills and sleeping outside in a hammock or on the floor, even in the snow.

'I prepare for the winter as I don't have gas in my terrace house, just an old coke fire, although I do have electricity,' he added. In each of his 'stash sites' - created for back up, in case the apocalypse hits - he has around £35 worth of food and first-aid supplies, based on army ration packs. He says it is enough to live for 10 days on 5,000 calories a day while on the move, or longer on a smaller diet.

'Social and economic collapse could happen, probably in 15 to 20 years and people need to be prepared to survive', he said. 'It is reassuring that I have these stashes, but I know I could survive and live off the land. 'I really don't want it all to go wrong. I want the world to be a beautiful place – but that's not going to happen.'

Mr Coulthard says he would take his elderly parents with him if they wanted to leave in a last-resort-scenario. He runs bug-out (or emergency) survival weekends, teaching people how to stay alive when evacuating from a disaster. He added: 'I don't think people should go out and panic. But this is a possible scenario and I think people should be prepared for it.'