BRITAIN'S best-known paralympic athlete put the North-East under starter's orders for a charity run yesterday.

Tanni Grey Thompson was at Exhibition Park, in Newcastle, to promote the BBC's Fitness First Sport Relief Mile, at the park on Saturday, July 10.

The event hopes to attract thousands of entrants to run a mile and raise sponsorship for Sport Relief.

She said: "You don't need to be sporty to get involved, all you have to do is sign up, get sponsored and do that mile by whatever means you can.

"It's a chance for everybody to make a real difference. I'm sure Newcastle and the whole of the North-East is ready for the challenge."

Sport Relief was set up in 2002 by Comic Relief and BBC Sport to tackle poverty both in the UK and some of the poorest countries around the world.

For an entry form, contact 09068 101010, or visit the www.sportrelief.com website.

Donations can also be made via the website, or by contacting 08457 910910.