VETERAN runner Jim Caddy has come home to Kirkleatham after competing in a 10,000m race in Italy, which was part of an international athletics competition for the over-forties.

The 78-year-old former ICI and bakery worker competes across the world. At the recent Italian event, he came sixth in his age category. Before that, he competed in Germany and won a medal in Spain two years ago. He could be the oldest member of Cleveland Harriers.

He has dozens of pairs training shoes, but his favourite have holes in the soles.

He said: "Each day, I run from Sir William Turner's Court at Kirkleatham down to the sea at Redcar, then to Coatham and back. These shoes are good because they're really comfortable - and the holes let the water out."

"I've another pair which look absolutely disgraceful, but they're great for running on the treadmill, which I use if the weather's bad. But I usually manage to get outside every day. Running is marvellous."

Regarding his international competitions, he said: "These events are described as veteran races, but a veteran is anyone over 40. It's not just old blokes like me.

"When I was younger - 75 - I never came home without a medal. But it's a big world out there and there are lots of eager runners. The new kids on the block - the 70-years-olds - give us oldies a run for our money."

Mr Caddy did not start competing until he was 46.

"I jogged before 'jogging' was invented but came into athletics after being encouraged by the Michelin runner, Don Shelley, at a cross-county race for industrial workers at Stoke on Trent.

"A Cleveland chap, Jed Bellors , asked me to take part in a race up here. I joined Middlesbrough and Cleveland Harriers, and competed at South Shields. It was a six-mile race and I came last. But I ran all the way and never gave up. One year later, at the same race, I won a prize."

He left Dormanstown School at 13 and joined Welford's Bakery in Redcar. "I had my 14th birthday during the summer holidays and never went back to school. When I was 16, I told the bakery people I was 17, so I could have my own van. That was during the war. Workers were desperately needed."

After that, he joined ICI in 1953 and spent 30 years working in its polythene plant.

Now, when not running, he enjoys 50-50 dancing at his local British Legion Club, and takes an interest in politics and the stock market.