SUPPORTERS lined the street to cheer home a North-East charity runner as he completed the last few steps of a 505-mile journey.

Marc Ellis, from Darlington, set off from Land's End on May 1 and finished his marathon race back to Darlington shortly before noon on Saturday (May 30).

The 43-year-old has already raised more than £13,600 for St Teresa's Hospice and hopes to pass the £15,000 barrier by the time all donations have been counted.

A fundraising night at the Cleveland Bridge Social Club, in Neasham Road, on Saturday night, doubled as a welcome home get-together for Mr Ellis and helped to swell further the amount raised.

In fine spring sunshine, balloons and bunting blown by a moderate breeze, Mr Ellis' supporters, friends and family clapped and cheered as factory worker Mr Ellis crossed his own personal finish line on High Row, in Darlington town centre.

Not far behind him were members of the Quakers Running Club.

At the finish, on High Row, in Darlington town centre, Mr Ellis said: "It's not about me, but all the people who has supported and sponsored me on my journey.

"They are the ones who have got me through it.

"For the past 10 years, I have had this passion to do something for the community and for people who are perhaps having a tough time.

"I wanted to make a difference and, at the same time, push myself to see how far I could go."

On Sunday, Mr Ellis revealed that a further £2,000 was raised at the party the previous nigh thanks to 50 raffle prizes donated by local businesses.

He said he was not aching nearly as much as he had expected and was even considering another fundraising run in the future.

"Everybody in the town has been behind it and it's been a really positive experience.

"You hear so much negative things about people but this is a positive story."

Mr Ellis' partner, Sharon Carr, was among the first to congratulate him. She said: "I cannot put into words how proud I am of him."

Charity chief executive Jane Bradshaw said the money would go towards the hospice's family support team, which inspired Mr Ellis to raise funds for St Teresa's.

She said: "Amounts like this do not come into the hospice every day. It is an amazing achievement, Marc has single-handedly inspired so many people to give to our cause.

"He told me that he was inspired himself after after a visit to the hospice, when he saw our family support team.

"He was surprised at how the hospice is supporting children who have lost someone due to terminal illness."

To donate, visit justgiving.com/Marc-Ellis1