A WORCESTER council housing officer will be swapping the roads of Ronkswood for the streets of New York.

Colin Bailey is gearing himself up to run in the city's marathon that will be held in Manhattan next month.

Mr Bailey, aged 34, of Warndon Villages, is hoping to raise more than £500 for the Anthony Nolan Trust and is currently in training.

"When devising my fitness programme with an instructor at Peak Fitness we agreed to include some running to help build stamina and get in shape," said Colin.

"I initially set myself a goal of running the Shakespeare half-marathon in Stratford-on-Avon.

"After completing that, I had a vivid dream that I would be running in the streets of New York and so entered the international lottery on their website. I was absolutely taken aback when I heard I had won a place."

Since then Colin has been running 40 miles a week to ensure he can get round the gruelling 26.2-mile course.

The route will take him from Staten Island, through Brooklyn to Queen's, then the Bronx before ending up in Manhattan's Central Park.

"I am a bit concerned that I will be hitting the infamous marathon wall when running through the Bronx. I think the reputation of the place will see me speed up rather than slowing down.

"I decided to raise the money for Anthony Nolan as I remembered the launch of the charity from when I was a kid."

Peak Fitness is running a number of events in October to help Colin with his fund raising.

The club manager Georgia Upton has planned a 70s themed spin class and kick boxing aerobics.

There will also be a club raffle and members will also be asked to donate their locker money to the charity.

"Peak Fitness have been really supportive with fund raising and helping motivate me towards my goals," said Colin.

If you would like to sponsor Colin ring 01905 722298.