Ledbury'S Terry White did the town proud with his performance in the Great North Run last Sunday.

Not only did the 75-year-old finish the half-marathon in two hours six minutes, he also raised around £1,900 for the Ledbury Hospital Appeal fund.

Mr White was one of some 40,000 runners taking part in the race from Newcastle to South Shields.

Mr White, who had set himself a target of £1,000, did not quite manage to beat last year's time of one hour 58, but he has been battling a thigh injury during training.

He took up running again at the age of 69, following the example of his sons, who used to run around Ledbury bypass when they visited their parents.

His sons, Ben, aged 32, and Jeremy, 35, accompanied their father on the Great North Run.

"But they went faster," said Mr White.

Spencer Lane, co-ordinator of the hospital appeal, said: "Words almost fail me. This is a tremendous effort both in the running and the fundraising.

"And thanks go as well to all the people of Ledbury who helped."

The appeal has a target of £150,000 solely for equipment within the NHS hospital currently being built in the town.