ACTION man Joe Roberts does not let age get in the way when it comes to a good cause.

The 76-year-old rode across Teesside yesterday spreading the word about the work of Britain's firefighters.

Mr Roberts is a veteran of the Auxiliary Fire Service and, as a 16-year-old, delivered important messages across Blitz-torn London as a motorcycle dispatch rider.

Sixty years on, galvanised into action by the terror attack on the World Trade Centre three months ago, he has hit the road again.

His one concession to advancing years is that he is making his nationwide crusade, promoting the work of the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund, in a sponsored car, but he recalled his hectic time as a despatch rider when he posed for photographers on a 1960s motorbike at Cleveland Fire Brigade headquarters.

Station Officer David Hansford said: "He is a tireless fundraiser. He has raised thousands of pounds for charities, including £100,000 during a 24,000 mile venture on horseback way back in 1968, and basically his stamina is staggering.''

Mr Roberts stayed at Thornaby Fire Station last night and heads home to Aberdeen tomorrow.