THREE jailbirds made a bid for freedom – and reached Runcorn!

The trio 'escaped' from the old police cell at Keighley Civic Centre in an attempt to get as far away as possible in 36 hours.

And the threesome – Jonathan and Trisha Merrington and Peter Harrison – completed the 70 miles into Cheshire.

Their effort was part of a fundraising challenge staged by Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice Manorlands.

Hospice fundraiser, Andrew Wood, said: "The idea is teams have to travel as great a distance as they can without spending anything.

"But distance is only one part of it. Bonuses are on offer to participants who carry out special challenges listed in an information pack, such as a selfie outside any Sue Ryder shop.

"Teams pay an entry fee and then try to raise as much as possible."

The challenge is running throughout the summer.

Entrants set off from the civic centre on a Friday.

Call the fundraising office on 01535 640430 for more details.