PUPILS and teachers cheered charity walker Steve Dayman as he continued his 770-mile trek.

Steve Dayman, chief executive of the Bristol-based cancer research charity Spencer Dayman Meningitis UK, set off from Staindrop yesterday on day 18 of his fundraising walk

Mr Dayman is walking with fundraiser Steve Fear from Peterhead, in Aberdeenshire, to Lyme Regis, in Dorset.

They hope to raise awareness of the dangers of meningitis as they pass through villages, towns and cities and to raise more than £100,000 for scientific research into the killer disease.

Councillor Robin Simpson, chairman of Teesdale District Council, joined teachers and pupils from Staindrop Comprehensive School to support the walkers on the next stage of their walk - from Staindrop to Downholme, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

A group of pupils and teachers walked part of the way with the two fundraisers, who aim to complete their route within 36 days.