A TELEVISION engineer is dusting down his running shoes to raise money for a disability charity during this year's Great North Run.

Grandfather Terry Carr took part in the first Great North Run in 1981, then for the next 15 years, peaking with a personal best of one hour 15 minutes.

Now the 55-year-old is returning, after a seven-year absence, at the head of a 12-strong team from Bang and Olufsen, to raise money for the Percy Hedley Foundation's Sport For All appeal.

Mr Carr, an audiovisual engineer at the company's Durham branch, will be joined by colleagues from Bang and Olufsen's Newcastle and Yarm stores.

Mr Carr, who is married with three daughters, said: "It's seven years since I last did the Great North Run.

"I had been thinking about it, but it was the boss who sparked us all into action by putting the team together.

"It was a great invitation to run for a good cause, so I knew I had to have a go, although it's been awful trying to get back into a training routine."

Mike Warren, managing director of Bang & Olufsen in the NorthEast, came up with the idea and is one of several in the team who are tackling the Great North Run for the first time.

He said: "There are a few aching legs around at the moment, but running in support of such a worthy local cause gives us all the motivation we need when the going gets tough.

"I'm sure we'll rise to the challenge when September comes."