A DEVOTED father has walked the length of a County Durham Dale to raise money for disabled children.

Alistair Howes' three-year-old son, Jake, is the inspiration behind the Independence 4 Disability charity that will raise money for disabled children in Weardale.

Mr Howes and his partner, Helen Blackburn, who live in Frosterley, founded the charity because they say there is a need for respite care in Weardale for disabled children.

The couple's youngest son, Jake, contracted a brain virus two weeks after he was born, which left him suffering from cerebral palsy and scoliosis.

He is registered blind and is unable to hold himself upright or control his arms and legs.

Yesterday, Mr Howes braved the elements to walk through all the villages in Weardale, pushing a wheelchair.

Volunteers from each village greeted him and were pushed in the chair.

His challenge has been backed by botanist and conservationist Professor David Bellamy, who visited the family in Frosterley on Friday to wish Mr Howes luck.

The aim of the walk was to raise awareness of the charity and gain support, as well as to raise funds.

Mr Howes, who started his walk at Killhope and finished at Harperley, said afterwards: "It has gone far better than we expected despite the weather.

"People have been coming out of their homes to support us and give us money. I don't know how much we have raised but it will be a lot."

Eventually, Mr Howe and Ms Blackburn, whose six-year-old son, James, has been diagnosed with a form of autism, hope to set up a respite centre for families with disabled children who need support.