Steve Fear, Peter Higgs, John Parr and Steve Dayman pass through Wootton Bassett. Ref: 72993-143A FATHER who lost his son to meningitis walked through Wootton Bassett on his 770-mile fundraising charity trek.

Spencer Dayman died from the disease in 1982 aged just 14 months.

Now his dad, Steve, 52, from Bristol, is chief executive of the national charity, Spencer Dayman Meningitis UK.

Mr Dayman and pal Steve Fear are now on Day 34 of their challenge.

The pair hope to raise £80,000 through the mammoth walk from Peterhead in Aberdeenshire to Lyme Regis in Dorset.

They passed through the town centre on Monday afternoon.

"The support has been brilliant," said slightly-out-of-breath Mr Dayman as he walked.

"So far we've collected £64,000 and we're confident we'll reach our target."

Mr Dayman said it's vital people are made aware of the disease that kills around 200 each year.

"Traditionally winter is the worst time for meningitis," he said. "Cases normally peak in February.

"The situation is getting better. When I lost my boy there was very little information about and no large support groups like ours."