A Darlington distance runner has passed a remarkable milestone by completing his 100th marathon.

Harbhag Singh, known as Harry to his friends, has taken just over 20 years to complete the century.

The Darlington Harrier, 58, was inspired to take up running in 1981 after watching the London Marathon.

He took part in the very first Great North Run that year - and has run every one since.

He completed his first marathon in Horsforth, near Leeds, in March 1982.

Mr Singh has since travelled the country to indulge his hobby, culminating at with the recent Robin Hood Marathon, near Nottingham, his 100th.

His personal best time is 2hrs 55mins 8secs, achieved in Wolverhampton in 1984, and he also broke the three-hour barrier in one of his 11 London Marathons in 1987.

Mr Singh, who keeps a log of every marathon he completes, has an average time of 3-32-50, clocking up 2,671 miles along the way.

He said: "I had no idea at the time I started that I was going to do 100 marathons.

"It feels great but as far as I'm concerned it's in the past now. I always look forward, it's like having a meal and then you're hungry again."

Mr Singh has also completed several ultra-marathons, including 50 mile races, 12 hour races and one 24 hour race.

His next aim is to pass the five million yard mark in marathons, which will be just after his 108th race, and the five million metres mark after 118 races.

Mr Singh thanked Robin and Susie Rutherford from Darlington Harriers, his family and his wife, Nachhatar Kaur Singh, for all of their support over the years.