ROMAN soldiers are to storm the frontier of Hadrian's Wall next month.

The trip will all be in the name of charity, as seven friends are preparing to cycle from the Irish Sea to the North Sea along the lines of the wall, dressed in Roman outfits.

The group, all based in the Wear Valley area of County Durham, will be raising money on the 76-mile journey for The Rainbow Trust children's charity.

Jeff Alderson, Paul Barker, Adrian Milne, Ant Johnson, Andrew Vickers, Jason Kennedy and Bob Wilson all attended King James I School, in Bishop Auckland.

They regularly embark on unusual schemes, and Mr Alderson, 36, said that while this would be the most challenging, it would also be fun.

He said: "We have to keep the level of stupidity up. We thought anybody can go to Hadrian's Wall, but we thought it would be a bit different to go dressed as Romans."

The group chose The Rainbow Trust because of the care they provided for relatives of two friends, who suffered terminal illnesses.

They will set off from Bowness on Saturday, March 10, and should arrive at Wallsend the next night. To make a donation, visit www.wallsendorbust.org.uk