A PRISON officer is going on the run for charity.

Kevin Dixon, who works at Durham Prison, is asking individuals and businesses to sponsor him to run the 13-mile Paris half-marathon, with the money going to the NSPCC.

Mr Dixon, 40, from St Helens, near Bishop Auckland, usually does 90 minutes' training every day, and is hoping to complete the half-marathon in less than one hour and 35 minutes.

"I've always wanted to do something for charity and I'm already a decent runner," he said.

"The NSPCC is a worthy cause. They help children who are much worse off than most of us and get money to the ones who really need it."

Mr Dixon will join about 22,000 other runners on the half-marathon, which takes place in March next year.

He has already received a £100 pledge from Grants Gym, in St Helens, near Bishop Auckland.

To sponsor Mr Dixon, call Grants Gym on 01388-602887.