A CHARITY fund-raiser from Worcester who ran the London Marathon on his 40th birthday has handed over more than £1,000 to a worthy cause.

Stephen Hodgetts ran last year's 26-mile event to raise money for those suffering from Crohn's disease - an inflammatory condition, which causes stomach pains and weight loss.

He has only recently collected the full £1,103 sponsorship and yesterday afternoon handed over the cash.

"A friend of mine suffers from Crohn's disease so I wanted to help out," said Mr Hodgetts, of Windermere Drive, Warndon.

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who sponsored me - mostly friends and family, but I also had great support from The Winning Post, the Glovers Needle pubs and the Marr's Bar."

Mr Hodgetts completed the 2004 London Marathon in three hours, 10 minutes.