A grandfather has completed a half marathon without moving from his seat.

Brian Hatch, 65, completed the feat on a rowing machine at Ongar Leisure Centre in Fyfield Road on December 15 to raise funds for Brentwood and Chelmsford Multiple Sclerosis Society.

He has so far managed to raise a total of £1,200 and is still accepting contributions which he hopes to present to the charity in January.

He said: “It was sheer relief when I came off the rowing machine.

“When you sit in that position for so long your bum goes numb and for the last 20 minutes I was worried it would cramp up.”

He completing the 21,098m distance in just over an hour and 40 minutes.

Mr Hatch from Love Lane, Ongar, prepared for three months in order to complete the challenge which he set himself after several of his friends were diagnosed with MS.

The money will help sufferers with pain relief, physiotherapy and other treatment to improve their condition.

Mr Hatch added: “the condition gets worse every day so today is as good as it will be for someone with MS.”