A teenaged living history buff admitted being 'knackered but proud' after completing a charity walk on the Shotley peninsula in full World War One uniform, complete with rifle.

Toby Young, 15, from Shotley yomped the eight mile (13km) route along the Orwell river path yesterday, along with dad Nick and fellow Living Historian Richard Cooper, who also wore full kit with the Essex Regiment insignia.

Toby said: "I'm really proud of what we have achieved and I am knackered after doing it but it is a great cause I'm doing it for. Thank you to everyone who donated and helped me smash my goal."

The unusual feat was inspired by Toby's interest in history and his connection with the 10th Living History Group.A relative on his dad's side William Cook was shot twice in the leg in two days at the Somme, while his great, great grandfather on his mum's side of the family, Samuel Vaughan, was wounded at the Somme while fighting as Essex Yeoman from Witham.

On top of that Toby's great, great uncle Frank was shot in the mouth and taken prisoner in March 1918.

Toby regularly tends Mr Vaughan's grave in Essex and showed his respect in full uniform before making this trek.

Dad Nick added: "Although it did not seem a long way Toby managed to put in a lot of miles. It was all down to him, it was his idea, he organised it himself. I'm a very proud dad."

Originally Toby had planned to raise £50, he had already raised nearly £600 for the RBL before he set off, you can donate on the My Poppy Run 2020 here