TEACHERS and parents at a Whitefield primary school are expecting to be "dead beat" after taking part in a 13-mile funeral walk with a difference.

But rather than walking, the six-strong group from St Bernadette's RC School, in Abingdon Avenue, are hoping to increase the pace to a jog when they complete the Great North Run this Sunday (Oct 6).

Local funeral directors Bebbington-Jones have sponsored the group, who hope to raise around £1,000 for school funds, and provided them with t-shirts in the school colours of navy and light blue.

The t-shirts even bear a sombre message on the back stating: "We will see you at the end!"

One of the group, teacher Martin Holt, said: "The idea came from the Parents and Teachers Association to try and raise some money for our computer suite at school. And when it came to volunteers, our head teacher Mr Des Burns kindly nominated us."

Three teachers and three members of the PTA will run the 13-mile route from Newcastle to South Shields and the pupils have promised to watch the race on the television.

The youngsters have already been lending their support by helping the teachers train for the event.

Martin said the children who attend the after school club with Mrs Hayley Jones, whose husband works at Bebbington-Jones, have been helping her train each night by accompanying her for a jog around the school grounds.