PRISONERS and staff at HMP Hindley rowed their way to raising more than £1,300 for a young boy with cerebral palsy who is also battling leukaemia.

Ten-year-old Ben Robinson, from Leigh, and his dad Paul were invited to the prison to watch the row-a-thon and have a tour of the facilities.

The rowing machine challenge in aid of the Ben's Wish Trust, which was set up by Leigh Centurions player Dayne Weston, saw inmates and prison staff split up into four teams and row continually for 12 hours to clock up a total of 70 kilometres.

Prisoners also donated money from their private accounts.

Paul said: “Ben had a great time during his visit and we would like to thank everybody who took part in the event, especially the prisoners, who contributed greatly to the final amount raised.”