A charity for disabled people is seeking volunteers to take part in the Great North Run.

Dogs for the Disabled needs five people to tackle the event to help raise funds to train assistance dogs.

It needs runners to raise £250 each in sponsorship, and is offering a support kit and the chance to tour the charity's training centre in return.

It trains dogs to help disabled people with a range of everyday tasks such as opening and closing doors, and emptying washing machines.

Carol Goodman, of Darlington, who has one of the dogs, said: "What may seem to be a simple task can be very difficult when you are in a wheelchair, but Anton opens up the outside world for me."

Interested runners should contact 08700 776600.