A RUNNER from Kent was among the four competitors who died in Sunday's Great North Run, the world's biggest half-marathon.

He has been named by a coroner's office as 34-year-old Kieran Patching who lived at Bellgrove Court in Chatham.

Mr Patching leaves a widow, Julie, and two children, a boy and a girl. He had lived in the Medway area all his life.

The four victims - all men - were aged between 28 and 52. About 50,000 runners took part in the event.

Organisers have expressed their sadness at the deaths, the highest number of fatalities in the history of the event.

A spokeswoman for South Tyneside coroner's office said post-mortem examinations were being carried out this week. Temperatures reached 18C (64F) during the race.

FULL STORY IN FRIDAY'S MEDWAY MESSENGER