A MARATHON 24-hour sponsored bowling session took place at the weekend to send a Teesside man to this year's Paralympics.

With an average age of 65, members of the Billingham Forum Indoor Bowling Club played non-stop from midnight on Saturday through until midday yesterday.

The session was started by Stockton Mayor Councillor Ann Cairns and her husband, Dick, with the aim of raising £1,300 that Michael Martin, 42, of Middlesbrough, needs to go to Kuala Lumpar in May.

Club secretary Frank Crosby said: "The atmosphere was wonderful and the mayor seemed to have a whale of a time. We want to get as much funding for Michael as possible, otherwise people would struggle to get to these events."

Bowls champion Mr Martin suffers from cerebral palsy but he has not let that stop him winning a number of bowling medals and trophies.

Anyone who wants to help sponsor Mr Martin is asked to call Mr Crosby on (01642) 551187.