Two Darwen brothers who have been raising money for East Lancs Hospice are well on their way to smashing a new £20,000 target.

Tom, 10 and Jack Mayoh, eight, have already surpassed the £16k mark by braving the cold and wearing shorts throughout winter, and following an appearance on BBC Radio Lancashire last week, Jack upped their fundraising target to a whopping 20 grand.

The boys' dad, Gareth Mayoh, said: "It’s become a bit of a standing joke that when anybody asks Jack about how much they are trying to raise, he keeps upping it.

"I have asked him to calm it down, but each time it comes off he gets more determined."

Tom and Jack decided to raise money for the hospice after staff there provided care for their mum, Louise, before she died from cancer in July last year.

Mr Mayoh said: "Technically their challenge is wearing their shorts for school throughout winter, but they have been wearing them a lot over the Christmas break.

"They play a lot of football for various clubs and with their mates, so probably have shorts on 90 percent of the time."

The determined youngsters also wore shorts when they went to New York on holiday in December, braving freezing temperatures to pose for photos up the Empire State Building and on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Tom and Jack will be at Ewood Park this Saturday doing a bucket collection and they are also involved in the Darwen Dashers Darwen 10K and half marathon races in April.

Proud dad said: " The boys are starting both races and giving out the medals after. The half marathon race will also be dedicated to Louise this year.

"They're obsessed with checking their justgiving page and like to look at who's donated; they've even attracted a donation from someone in California who read their story online and is wearing his shorts to work in support."

Despite not grumbling too much about the cold, Mr Mayoh is anticipating that their attitude may change once it gets icy and the snow comes.

However, Jack said: "I’m most looking forward to it snowing because it will be funny going to school in my winter coat, wellies and shorts."

To donate to Tom and Jack's cause, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tom-jackmayoh.