They wove, they quaffed, they finished – and they raised over �1,500 for a children's charity.

A group of retired people have successfully woven their way along some 60 miles of the Yarmouth-to-Cromer Weaver's Way footpath in a sponsored effort on behalf of Hope and Homes for Children.

The walk, organised by former Foreign Office diplomat Mark Chapman, from Norwich, was completed over 10 days with several pub stops en route.

One plucky team member, Anthea Iveson, developed severe tendonitis but still tackled some of the route every day while her dog, Widget, managed to trot the whole length.

The walkers, ranging in age from their mid-60s to Mr Chapman, at 76, marched into Cromer on Friday after stopping for soup at Felbrigg Hall where supporters cheered them on for the final leg.

'That was one of the high points,' said Mr Chapman. 'A low point came on the second day when, having trudged through mud on Halvergate Marshes, we were faced with a water jump at the point where the Weaver's Way crosses the Acle Straight – and we still had another long trudge into Acle.'

But the route had improved after Hickling where Mr Chapman also gave the village's Greyhound pub top marks for hospitality – including providing water for Widget and the Chapman's dog, Mimi.

'It was quite an undertaking at our age,' said Mr Chapman. 'We're a bit past it for a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro but we wanted to push ourselves to do something for the sake of the children.'

The cash will help deprived children in eastern Europe and all those involved in the walk belong to the charity's Norfolk support group.

Others taking part included Sheringham vet David Allison, Hilary Kisby, former head teacher of Easton St Peter Primary School, and her husband John, Bruce Ellis, Alan and Angela Quinn, from Aylsham, and Mr Chapman's wife, Pat.