Coronation Street's Kylie Platt dons running shoes for blindness charity

Coronation Street's Kylie Platt aka the actress Paula Lane at the National Television Awards (PA)

Coronation Street star Paula Lane is calling on people to don their running shoes to raise money for a blindness charity.

The actress and her fiance, fellow actor Tom Shaw, are encouraging runners to sign up for the Virgin London Marathon and Greater Manchester Marathon to raise funds for Henshaws Society for Blind People.

Paula, who plays Kylie Platt in Corrie, chose to become an ambassador for Henshaws after visiting the charity's Manchester Resource Centre in Old Trafford.

The couple ran the Virgin London Marathon for Henshaws last year, raising more than £2,000. They also took part in the Great Yorkshire Run and the Great North Run.

aula said: "The work Henshaws does is amazing. I was so touched by the services that they provide - seeing what a difference they make to visually impaired people and to their families and friends.

"I ran the London Marathon last year for Henshaws as I felt that they not only deserved the sponsorship but would benefit a lot from the money raised and would be able to carry on the great work they're already doing, so I would encourage people to sign up to run one of these marathons for Henshaws."

Tom added: "As proud ambassadors of Henshaws, Paula and I wanted to raise some much needed funds for a great charity. We've seen the great work Henshaws does and felt honoured to be donning the orange jersey for the 26 miles and 385 yards."

Henshaws currently have charity places for both the Virgin London Marathon on April 21 and the Greater Manchester Marathon on April 28.

The deadline for signing up to either marathon is March 31. For more information or to register, call 01423 814501 or visit fundraisinghenshaws.org.uk.

PA