SOLDIERS will join Second World War veterans on a charity run next month to raise money for blind ex-servicemen.

The Morpeth to Newcastle Road Race celebrates its centenary on January 11 and St Dunstan's charity for blind people has been chosen as one of the causes to benefit.

Bill Brown, 83, who was among the prisoners of war forced to work on the "Death Railway'' from Burma to Thailand, and Stan Johnson, also 83, who was a PoW in Germany and Poland, will attempt the course in wheelchairs, pushed by troops stationed at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.

Former member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Don Planner, is also taking part.

A keen runner, he has taken part in 14 marathons, 28 half-marathons, and climbed Mont Blanc for St Dunstan's - despite losing his sight in 1976.

"This is a great opportunity for St Dunstan's and we are delighted to have been nominated as one of the charities to benefit," said head of fund-raising, Sarah Tait.

The soldiers will also be joined by members of the emergency services, who benefit from money raised by The Diana Gubbay Trust, which is administered by St Dunstan's.

Since 1915, St Dunstan's has helped more than 7,000 blind men and women come to terms with their disability, providing training, rehabilitation and care.