A SUNDAY morning football side have raised hundreds of pounds for charity after completing a grueling 44-mile walk.

Seven players from Newton Aycliffe Sports Club - aided by a four-man support group - completed the Lyke Wake Walk on the North Yorkshire Moors in sweltering heat to raise funds for an autistic charity.

And their achievements have raised almost £1,800 for the County Durham Austic Support Group.

"It went very well," said Aycliffe manager Brian Scaiffe. "It was a red hot day, so that didn't help! But the lads completed the walk and they've done very well to raise so much money."

Mark Weatheridge, Richard Armstrong, Russell Mercer, Mark Armstrong, Paul Burke, Neil Hartland and Darren Muncaster began trekking the famous 44-mile walk on Friday July 26 at 6.30pm. The last walker completed the feat no less than 19 hours later at 1.30pm the following Saturday!

Muncaster said: "It was extremely hard, especially in the heat, and a pint was a very welcome site at the end!"

Teesside engineering and construction firm Cordell Group provided a support van for the seven-man team, with Brian Scaiffe, Roger Bradley, Norman Leighton and Paul Buxton consisting of the support group.