A PART-TIME soldier from the North-East had an audience of thousands yesterday.

More than 35,000 people turned out to see the closing hours of a punishing 24-hour, record-breaking exercise marathon.

Among the ten contenders to get into the record books for his part in the 24-hour Aerobathon Guinness World Record bid, which raised thousands of pounds for charities, was 22-year-old Philip Simpson, from Linthorpe, Middlesbrough.

The eight men and two women taking part were only allowed one 15 minute break every eight hours, during the challenge at a shopping mall in Greenock, Scotland.

Mr Simpson is in his third year studying politics and history at Strathclyde University, Glasgow.

He is also a member of the 15th Company, Four Para, the only parachute company in the Territorial Army, who made up five members of the challenge team.

He said: "It was a very exciting challenge and the best part was that we started as a team and finished as a team.

"We set the record together, which benefited some great charities which really needed the extra cash.'