SOLDIERS completed the final leg of a 130km sponsored run in the grounds of a Darlington hospice.

St Teresa's Hospice, in Woodland Road, has been adopted by soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Queen's Lancashire Regiment for their fundraising efforts for charity.

The team brought a greeting to the hospice from St Catherine's Hospice, Preston, Lancashire.

St Teresa's Hospice chairman Alasdair MacConachie accepted the scroll of greetings from St Catherine's, delivered by the runners, and thanked them for their efforts.

Commanding officer of the battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Davies, said: "The sponsored run is one of a series of events conducted by the battalion in support of St Teresa's Hospice. The battalion has adopted St Teresa's Hospice as the focal point for fundraising during our posting in Catterick.

"We have been delighted to help this excellent charity, and to link our efforts with St Catherine's Hospice, in Preston, which is the home of the regimental headquarters."