'Oaks star to run for soldier charity

Hollyoaks star Nicole Barber-Lane has agreed to take part in a charity run which will raise money for the families of soldiers who have been injured or killed in duty.

The actress - best known for her soap role as Myra McQueen - is to be among a number of fundraisers who will support the first ever Mercian Marathon when it takes place on October 31.

Participants in the run can choose to take the full course from Warrington Town Hall to Chester Castle, or tackle various individual legs of the journey. Barber-Lane will be taking on the final leg in Chester.

Speaking to This Is Cheshire, the star explained: "The organisers sent an email to our press office to see if anyone was interested. There were quite a few other people who wanted to do it but with other commitments I was the one who took it on."

Discussing the purpose of the challenge, she added: "It's about the people who are left in dire straits because their husband, son or father has been left unable to work or has been killed in the line of duty."

The event has been organised by Private Amir Unsworth in aid of the Mercian Regiment's dedicated benevolent fund.