RETIRED businessman Stephen Tallett will be going for the big one when he takes part in the London Marathon on Sunday, April 26.

Sixty-years-old Mr Tallett, who lives in Battenhall, has run several half marathons, including the Worcester half marathon, but this will be his first time at the full distance.

He said: “I’ve run the Great North Run twice before. That was a fantastic experience so I'm really looking forward to running in London. I'm aiming for a time of five and a half hours and training is going well and to schedule. I'm lucky to have brilliant support from my wife, Sian, and my children, Ceri and Jack. Ceri ran the London Marathon in 2007 and she's also a Marshall at the event this year so I'll have extra front line cheering on the day."

Mr Tallett spent most of his career in financial services before retiring five years ago. He then retrained as a counsellor and now works as a volunteer at three centres. He has raised over £2,000 for Diabetes UK through his various long distance runs and will be running for the charity again in the London Marathon.

He is dying his hair sky blue for the race (the colour of Diabetes UK and his beloved Coventry City FC) and will also be holding a fund raising quiz night at Ombersley Memorial Hall on the evening of Saturday, March 28. The £10 per person entry fee includes a hot pork roll supper, licensed bar, and a raffle and prizes for the top three teams. To enter a team, contact Mr Tallett at stevietallett@hotmail.com.