TWO brothers with a passion for running are preparing to realise the dream of a lifetime - to complete a marathon.

To make the occasion all the more memorable, prison officer Phil Hannant, 40, and his brother, Bob, 59, a laboratory manager, are going to compete in the New York Marathon.

The brothers, both of Consett, County Durham, are raising cash for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Phil said: "We have both taken part in the Great North Run before, but have not run in an event for about ten years.

"And when turned 40, I decided it was about time to realise my dream of running a marathon.

"This will be the first marathon either of us have run, and we decided that, if we were going to do it, we would make it a specially memorable occasion. The New York Marathon is as high-profile an event as one can get."

He said they had decided to support Macmillan, as cancer had affected members of their family.

Phil and Bob will be joining about 130 people, who will be in the marathon for Macmillan. They expect to raise up to £10,000 for the charity.

The brothers have been sponsored by family, friends and work colleagues as well as four Consett businesses - McVicars Electrical, Paul Dodds Motors, Swinburne Horicultural and Gary Hall Windows.

The marathon will be held on November 6.