PRISON officers are planning a jail break at the weekend by mingling into the mass of 50,000 competitors pounding the course of the Great North Run.

A team of 14 officers has been putting in dedicated hours, often during their lunch breaks, on the roads and tracks around Frankland Prison, on the outskirts of Durham.

For the second year, they are tackling the half marathon route, from Newcastle to South Shields, on Sunday, in aid of Finchale Training College, Durham.

The college, not far from the prison, is the North's only residential rehabilitation and vocational training centre for disabled adults. It offers trainees the chance to overcome the barriers faced in returning to employment through physical impairment and special needs.

Last year's run by the Frankland officers raised £1,500, which paid for much-needed gym equipment for Finchale, but this year the runners have set their sights higher, at £2,500.

If they reach the target, it would cover the cost of a equipment to increase print sizes for trainees with visual impairment.

College appeals administrator Rachel Chatwyn said that everyone at the college wished the officers well on Sunday.

"They've been really fantastic, and we can only say how grateful we are. This is equipment which is desperately needed.

"It blows up written text into large print and students on some administrative courses now have to share the current equipment, so this would provide continual access."

The prison officers plan to set off together and should be easily identifiable in their red and green Finchale T-shirts, bearing the college's distinctive phoenix logo.

Late sponsorship for "The Frankland 14" can be made by ringing Rachel at the college, on 0191-386 2634.