A STUDENT from Hanley Swan raised £3,200 for the Children with Leukaemia charity by tackling the world-famous London Marathon.

Lucie Harris, aged 20, who had been having problems with shin splints, had not run for the six weeks before the race, and feared she may not be able to take part.

But intensive training in the swimming pool paid off as she completed the course in just over five hours.

Lucie said: "It was an absolutely fantastic day and the most brilliant experience, the crowds really kept me going."

Malvern hairdresser David Burley was another competitor and he finished in 4hr 42min. He was supporting the Cheltenham Cobalt Appeal, Bible Lands Cedars Home, and Holy Trinity Church Roof Appeal, and has raised over £6,000.

He said: "It was very hot, but it went really well for me, it just flowed."

This was the tenth London Marathon for Mr Burley, who is 63.

A huge field of 14 Malvern Joggers took part this year. First under the finishing arch was Emma Gooderham with a time of 2he 53min, with club chairman Stuart Brown completing the course in 3hr 28min.

Many of the Joggers faced marathon fundraising challenges in addition to coping with the 26.2 mile course and an early tally shows that about £14,000 has been raised, including £2,390 by Sarah Grout for Macmillan Cancer Support, Jo Hayne's £2,324 for Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund and Mark Cooke's £1,500 for the Mental Health Foundation.

Mr Brown said: "The London Marathon is a wonderful event and running it is a fantastic achievement, whatever your time. Congratulations to everyone who took part and thanks to all our supporters who make it so special."