WEYMOUTH & Portland Under-16s have raised £500 towards for their tour to Devon next season.

The youngsters completed their 24-hour relay marathon cheered on by a watching crowd in front of Monmouth Avenue clubhouse to a well deserved round of applause.

A team spokesman said: "The boys took turns to run the length of the main pitch and back, running in groups of five or six in two-hour shifts between noon, with the final hour having the whole team involved and the last length of the pitch they finished all together as a team.

"In spite of the dreadful weather between early evening on Saturday and around 1am on Sunday, they kept their spirits up in the driving wind and rain with each player taking their turn with great enthusiasm and commitment, and when they began to tire in the early hours before daylight they still plugged away doggedly.

"The total distance ran was 415km which equates to 287 miles, which is equivalent to running from Weymouth to Aalst in Belgium.

"The club also held a barbecue for the crowd braving the rainy weather and an 02 Touch Rugby session for those who were feeling active.

"It was a great effort from all the boys whose commitment and attitude over the 24-hour period was amazing and they should be very proud of what they have achieved."

The boys who took part were: Loui Balsdon, Henry Bell, Hayden Carry, Jaden Claridge, James Dobson, Riesa Frampton, Cam Gaw, Alfie Honeybun, Rob Hunter, Matt Lang, Damien Mason, Dan Maton, Will McLaren, Casey Pering-Hogg, Ethan Smith, David Taylor, Ben Tracey, Ben Ward and Lewis Fisher