TALK about going the extra mile - Howard Jones, a director of the Blackburn Empire Theatre, has gone 874 of them to help brighten up the popular venue.

For the past four months Howard has been completing a virtual walk from John O’Groats to Lands End with the aim of raising enough money to pay for a new illuminated sign on the front of the theatre facing Bolton Road at Ewood.

On Friday he completed his epic trek which ended, appropriately at the theatre. He was accompanied for the last mile by theatre chairman Michael Berry.

Howard, from Blackburn, managing director of Unified World Communications based at Greenbank, completed the 874-mile trek walking an average of just over eight miles every day since January.

He recorded his daily walks on an online app which accurately measured his progress and calculated where he would be at any point had he set off from John O’Groats.

“Obviously I’m delighted to have completed the challenge,” said Howard, “but it’s quite a bitter sweet feeling that it’s all over.”

Howard would take his daily walk usually setting off around 6.30 every morning and often accompanied by his two dogs Mollie and Nora.

“I’ve walked in all types of weather,” he said. “I’ve been soaked through, been snowed on and even got sunburnt when I did my daily walk on holiday in the Dominican Republic. But I am quite sad that I’ve finished the journey.”

Initially Howard set himself a fundraising target of £1,500 but soon smashed that and he now hopes to break through his revised £5,000 goal.

“I’d love to get to £6,000 as that would cover all the costs of the new illuminated sign.

“I have been a director of the theatre for many years now and as much as I love it, I’ve always wanted to brighten the appearance of it. The new sign would be seen by everyone heading into Blackburn and really make this wonderful building stand out.”

Howard, 65, initially decided to start a daily exercise routine to lose weight after Christmas.

“A friend, Barbara Fish Waring, suggested that if I was going to walk why not do it for charity, and the idea took off,” he said. “To be honest, if I didn’t have that goal to aim at I don’t think I’d have gone out some mornings.”

Mr Berry said: “We are delighted Howard has completed his fundraising journey and so grateful to him.

“As a registered charity every penny is precious and the proceeds from Howard’s efforts mean we can further improve this lovely building which has a special place in so many people’s hearts.”

“I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported me either through donations or by accompanying me on my walks,” said Howard. “There is still time to donate by visiting https://www.gofundme.com/f/howards-walk-from-john-ogroats-to-lands-end.”