PRISON staff have handed over £4,000 raised during a sponsored walk to a training college.

Earlier this year, staff from HMP Frankland joined students from Finchale Training College, near Durham City, for a sponsored ten-mile walk along Hadrian's Wall.

This week, Caroline Doyle, deputy manager of the dangerous and severe personality disorder unit at the prison, visited the college to hand over the cash, part of an ongoing fundraising effort between the two bodies.

More than 30 hikers took part in September's walk, in weather which varied from sunshine to rain.

Dave Griffiths, an accountancy student at the college, said: "I expected a stroll in the country, not part mountaineering, part bog-snorkelling, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

"I'm delighted to have had the opportunity to contribute to fundraising for the college."

College principal Dr David Etheridge said: "The staff from HMP Frankland and the Prison Officers' Charity Fund have done a lot for us over the years.

"Their considerable efforts fundraising on our behalf show HMP Frankland in a very positive light, and we are extremely grateful for their support."

Finchale Training College is a registered charity which provides training for unemployed adults with a range of mental, physical and medical health problems.