PUB regulars turned out in strength to raise money for charity after learning one of their number had been diagnosed with a debilitating disease.

Dozens of fellow drinkers at Grey Horse in Sherburn Terrace, Consett, took part in a sponsored walk at the weekend, raising about £3,000.

They decided to act after Nigel Nattress learned he had Parkinson's Disease at the age of just 49.

Walk organiser Michelle Simpson said: “We were just blown away by how generous everybody has been.

“Considering there were under 30 of us doing the walk and getting sponsorship , to get that amount of money is tremendous.

“I think it is because it has the personal interest. With it being one of our fellow drinkers it made us more aware of what can happen at such a young age.”

Mrs Simpson, said Mr Nattress, who now lives in Crook, had to take early retirement from his teaching job after the symptoms of the disease set in.

She added: “I had noticed that a big organised walk was had been scheduled I suggested to the landlady and landlord Kath and Colin Croft that we try and get a few people together to take part.

“However, after speaking to a few of the other regulars, we decided that it would be a good idea to organise a walk ourselves to make it more personal.”

Wearing blue ribbons and carrying balloons provided by Parkinson’s UK the regulars covered about 12 miles of the Derwent Walk, from Swalwell, Gateshead to Consett, on Saturday. There were 28 walkers, two cyclists and two runners.

They had a brief "pit-stop" at the Derwent Walk Inn, in Ebchester, before arriving back at the Grey Horse for a well-earned pint and buffet put on by the landlady.

Mrs Simpson said: “The hero of the day has to be Nigel himself as he also completed the walk and was the first to arrive back.

“He was joined on the walk by his daughter Florence and was greeted at the pub on his return by his sons Harry and Sam.

“We were serenaded in by local musician Jon Gordon, who played “When the Saints go Marching In" as we came through the doors.”

She added: “We want the money to support Nigel in some way and are liaising with Parkinson’s UK to find out where it can be best used.”

Anyone wishing to contribute can do so at www.justgiving.com/GreyHorseParkinsons.