TWIN brothers Joshua and Thomas Wraith, once dubbed the 'Beckham Boys', decided to pull on their running shoes in a bid to help Teesside's redundant steelworkers.

The 12-year-olds from Bishop Auckland, will complete a 2.7km circuit around the town's Auckland Castle, in aid of the 2,200 people who lost their jobs after the SSI plant at Redcar folded.

The family got the fundraising idea after deciding it was unfair that the steelworkers’ families were losing out on a decent Christmas. They have already raised over £100 and hope to make more.

Joshua and Thomas made headlines shortly after they were born when their over-excited mum went into labour two months early after David Beckham missed a crucial penalty for England against Turkey in the Euro 2004 qualifiers - earning them the nickname, The Beckham Boys.

They have since embarked on a successful running career with Durham Harriers and they decided to use their talents to good effect.

The twins will add a little festive spirit to the run - at 11am on Monday, November 30 - by sporting reindeer antlers. As well as their family cheering them on, moral support will also be provided by an army of friends from Durham City Harriers.

Apart from its stunning location, the lads, who attend Bishop Barrington School, chose Auckland Castle to help promote the Eleven Arches stage show, Kynren. It is due to open next June and the brothers have volunteered to take part.

Building work on the project can be seen from the castle’s deer house, the finishing line for their run.

Their mother Linsey, said: “We just happened to be at the Metro Centre talking about the steelworkers and one of the boys said: 'So they don’t get any money and it’s just before Christmas?’

"So I said that they could raise some money by putting their feet where their mouths were. And it all started from there. We decided on a circuit and started a justgiving campaign shortly afterwards.”

However, their talent is no joke and they go running with the Harriers three times a week and are already counted among the club's rising stars.

Last year, Thomas won the Harrier League cross-country championship and both hold the record for the Shildon Parkrun, which takes place every Saturday at 9am in the town’s Hackworth Park.

To donate to the boys’ fund-raising, visit: crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Wraith-twins