TWO girls whose close friendship was forged following the death of their mothers had a lovely surprise at the Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay yesterday.

Ten-year-olds Danielle Staley and Bethany Hobson had a trip from school to meet one of the runners taking the baton into Consett.

And when runner John Cunningham heard their story he promised he would dedicate his leg of the mammoth run to the memory of the mothers of the two girls.

"The girls were over the moon, their faces just lit up," said their class teacher Helen Lee.

Miss Lee said that Danielle's mother had died during an asthma attack three years ago and Bethany's mum died of cancer two years ago. Both the girls are from the Delves Lane area, near Consett and attend Delves Lane County Junior School.

Mr Cunningham, of Stanley, was chosen to run from the village of Castleside into Consett during the relay. He was nominated by a number of individuals and organisations after raising £680,000 for North-East children's charities during the past 26 years.

The baton relay also stopped off at Durham Trinity School for children with disabilities. Christopher Perkins, 11 and Dawn Pomphrett, 12, of the school were chosen to run 500 yards with the baton.