A FORMER smoker will end his nationwide marathon run to raise money for an anti-smoking charity in the North-East.

Rory Coleman, 40, of Long Eaton, Derbyshire, is running 600 miles to 13 Premiership football grounds this month as part of an anti-smoking campaign by the Quit charity.

He has visited the grounds of Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, and will go to Leicester City, Aston Villa, Derby County, Manchester United, Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Sunderland, finishing at St James' Park, Newcastle, on April 27.

He said: "Over the years since quitting, I have realised just how anti-social smoking is and how addicted many people are to nicotine.

"I hope people are inspired by the Quit and Run Challenge and feel they can quit smoking and start a new, healthier lifestyle."