GREAT North runner Steve Morris has raised an impressive £3,000 for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

Steve, who manages Steve Morris Agriculture Ltd, an agricultural supply company in Kidderminster, trained hard for the race and gained sponsorship from 150 local farmers and suppliers.

"It's thanks to the contribution of farmers and suppliers that I have raised this money for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution," he said. "I also think some of them were keen to see me train hard and to lose a few pounds for the Great North Run.

"As an agricultural organisation it seems only natural the proceeds of the run go towards helping farmers who are in need of support in the area.

"The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution has 38 beneficiaries in Worcestershire, spending over £28,000 to help those suffering hardship due to old age, disease or accident on farm."

A cheque and scroll with names of all of the farmers who sponsored Steve will be presented to the charity at the National Farmers' Union AGM on Thursday, December 8, where NFU deputy president Peter Kendall will be speaking.