THEIR steps were unsteady, but a group of Gwent toddlers rose to the challenge of walking twice around a field for charity yesterday.

The toddler group at Magor Baptist Church, all of whom are three or younger, were sponsored to raise money for children's charity Barnardo's.

Group leader Jo Fenton said: "There were a couple of babies who had to be carried by their parents, but most of the children went twice around the field, then had an ice-cream afterwards.

"They made windmills to take round with them as well. It only took them about ten minutes, but for the little ones that was long enough.

"It was trying to keep them on a steady path that was hard because they'd want to wander off to the toys.

"All the children got stickers and they got a little medal, and a lot of them did know that they were doing something special."

The cash is still being totted up, but Ms Fenton said: "Of the money, 75 per cent will go to Barnardo's, and the rest comes back to the group to buy toys or craft materials, so it comes back to the children in the end."

*Pictured, little Anastasia Smith makes a dash for it at the sponsored toddle for Barnados at Magor Baptist Church