JUST before the marathon runners set off in London last weekend a group of Southampton friends completed their own 24-hour marathon.

Nine members and friends of the sports and social club of the Mansbridge Community Centre took part in a 24-hour darts marathon to raise money for the children's ward at Southampton General Hospital.

The group played numerous games including singles and doubles matches and round-the-clock as they watched the hours tick by.

They raised £800, which will be split evenly between the children's ward and the Mansbridge Community Centre in Stoneham Cemetery Road.

Organiser Ian Holt, 40, from Robert Cecil Avenue, said: "My arms and feet were aching so much.

"It's the first time we've done anything like this and it was good fun.

"Some people did start lagging but one chap offered £5 a head if we could beat him and that kept us going."