A GROUP of young people went on a marathon shopping trip to raise money for a good cause.

Members of Middlesbrough Rotaract went on a two-day Round-Britain Challenge for items that had made their namesake town famous, such as rock from Blackpool, and cheese from Caerphilly.

The team visited 23 towns in 48 hours in four cars, one loaned from Jennings Ford.

The 2,000-mile trip raised money for the MS Therapy Centre in South Bank, Middlesbrough, which helps people from all over the North-East. More than 150 people make use of the centre to get treatment for the wasting disease, muscular sclerosis.

Phil Barker, from the centre, said: "The MS Therapy Centre provides a real lifeline for MS sufferers in the area and I'm thrilled that Rotaract and other contributors, such as Jennings Ford, have offered their support to help us raise funds."

Former Middlesbrough striker Bernie Slaven launched the challenge, which aims to raise £1,200 to run the MS centre for a week.