An athletics legend who has run every day since 1964 is hoping to mark 50 years of running in December by starring in a film about his life.

Evergreen Ron Hill, 75, who was born in Accrington, has been on more than 18,000 runs in that time.

He competed in Olympic marathons at the Tokyo games in 1964 and Munich in 1972 as well as winning gold in the European Championships in 1969 and the Commonwealth Games in 1970.

Now film maker James Copson has teamed up with Ron to document his life’s achievements.

Ron, whose record remains intact despite suffering a broken breastbone in a car accident in 1993, admitted he was a little hesitant when 24-year-old James first approached him.

He said: “James contacted me earlier in the year and I kept putting him off. I’m that busy I just couldn’t see the time I’d be able to give to him.

“He sent me a proposal for what he wanted to do and eventually we started the process of filming in a race to celebrate my 75th birthday.”

Ron, who now lives in Hyde, celebrated his 49th consecutive year of running on December 20, and, all being well, will hit the big 50 later this year.

He added: “James felt my achievements had gone unrecognised. I’m quite willing to help him as much as I can.”

James, from Stalybridge, is planning to pitch the documentary to television companies when it’s completed.