Keen golfer William Alberts beat his own longest drive record when he passed 100 miles - for charity.

The 68-year-old former truck driver set up his third event to raise funds for Bolton Hospice with his previous ‘Longest Drives’ being in 1997 and 2003.

William hit drive after drive from Astley Driving Range and they were measured by a team of volunteers and then added together with calculations on the total length being done when he took breaks during the stint that took five hours to complete.

With each drive measuring in the region of 180 yards the 100-mile target was reached after he had hit 1108 balls.

William said: “I was absolutely shattered at the end of the Longest Drive but thanks to Gareth Benson and his staff at Astley and support from my Bolton Open club members I expect to raise in excess of £400 for the charity which is dear to my heart as Bolton Hospice looked after my wife before her death in 2003.

“I was delighted to be given a driver by club manufacturers Cobra for my Longest Drive and even more delighted when I was presented with it after the event. “I got the idea for the Longest Drive in 1997 when driving a truck on a 100-mile trip to the Midlands and developed it from there and as far as I know no-one else has ever done anything similar.

“I will be looking to repeat the effort in 2009 but if anyone else wishes to give donations to support the Longest Drive they can contact Victoria Butcher the fundraising co-ordinator at the Hospice on 01204 663065.”