FITNESS fanatics have gone around the world in 70 days to bring success to a major health challenge.

The aim of the Sport England's Million Miles Challenge was to help people in the North-East enjoy a more active and healthy lifestyle.

The region was set the target of participants clocking up a million miles by running, rowing, swimming and walking.

Darlington was asked to contribute 13,500 miles but, thanks to the efforts of people using the Dolphin Centre and Eastbourne Sports Complex over ten-weeks, that figure was more than doubled.

The town's 28,828-mile total would more than circle the world - and organisers were delighted with the effort.

Every step taken on the cross-trainers and treadmills in local Pulse suites and every length completed in the Dolphin Centre's pool was recorded.

Darlington Borough Council staff also recorded how far they walked on certain days and the overall distance covered by runners in the Darlington 10k Road Run was added to the total.

Training miles completed by local competitors in the Great North Run also helped boost the final figure.

Councillor Lee Vasey, the council's cabinet member for leisure services, said: "The Million Miles Challenge really took off in Darlington and it's great that we more than doubled our target.

"Hopefully, those people who joined in the challenge will continue to exercise."