THE Butterwick Hospice in Bishop Auckland is £850 better off thanks to three intrepid walkers.

Peter Gray, Neil Clegg and David Akers presented a cheque to hospice representatives at The Mill House pub, in Crook, at the weekend.

Mr Gray completed the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way, between Aberdeen and Glasgow. Supported by his colleagues, he walked 172 miles between June 9 and 18.

He said support from customers and publicans in Crook had been tremendous.

The sum raised included a a donation from the local Licensed Victuallers' Association.

Walking is one of Mr Gray's main hobbies, and he said he would undertake the walk again for charity, regardless of the weather conditions.