Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas was treated to a "proper northerners meal" from a Congleton pub last night as he finished day eight of his mega charity challenge.

The 36-year-old actor is currently embarking on the penultimate day of his 262-mile walk from London to his home city of Manchester, to raise funds for mental health charity CALM.

Travelling mainly via canal paths, Ryan was joined yesterday by fellow actors Chris Fountain, Kelvin Fletcher and Chris Bisson, of Emmerdale, and singers Shane Lynch (Boyzone), Abz Love (Five) and Ben Ofoedu (Phats & Small).

The group were given a hero's welcome when they arrived at the Congleton finish line at teatime yesterday (Monday, 17th May).

To ensure Ryan went into his penultimate day with a full stomach, staff at The Railway Inn, on Biddulph Road, Congleton, cooked up a sausage, mash, peas and gravy dinner for him.

When receiving his food, Ryan was blown away by the kind gesture and said on his Instagram page: "Wow, that's incredible. That looks insane. The dinner of champions.

"Thank you to The Railway, Congleton, you've no idea how much I need this right now. Proper northerners meal."

Dad-of-two Ryan - who also starred in Celebrity Big Brother - has so far raised more than £100,000 for CALM.

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Ryan chose to support the charity after losing a close friend to suicide.