TWO barbers who have been friends for half their lives will be swapping their scissors for the streets of London when they take part in the famous marathon.

And their wives have been cooking up daily treats to ensure their training regime goes to plan.

Tony Mason, and Jon Bourne, who own Bourne & Mason barbers shop, are currently in training for their 26-mile run in aid of Worcester's St Richard's Hospice.

Mr Mason's wife, 34-year-old Theresa, and Mr Bourne's wife, Andrea, aged 31, both own Sky Caf opposite their husbands' business in King Charles Place, St John's, Worcester.

On a daily basis, the women are both busy cooking up food to fuel their husband's energy for their training.

"They make us tuna pasta and fresh salads such as turkey salad," said 32-year-old Mr Bourne.

"When we started the business seven months ago, our customers said there used to be a caf opposite us which was popular, but now empty.

"Our wives were interested in the caf, so they opened a few months later."

Mr Mason and Mr Bourne, who became friends around 16 years ago when they both did a barbers' apprenticeship in Malvern, raised around £1,500 for Acorns Children's Hospice in 2000 when they took part in The Great North Run.

Mr Mason, a dad of three, and Mr Bourne, father of two, are currently pounding the streets from Malvern to Kidderminster, and Malvern to Droitwich as part of their training.

"We chose St Richard's Hospice because it is trying to get a new bedded unit where people stay overnight, " said Mr Bourne, of Nelson Road, St John's, Worcester.

Mr Mason and Mr Bourne, whose business has been open for seven months, hope to complete the London Marathon, on Sunday, April 18, within four and half hours.

"We've paid in just over £800 in sponsorship so far, and hope to raise between £2,000 to £2,500 for St Richard's Hospice in total," said 35-year-old Mr Mason, of Yates Hay Road, Malvern.

"We've had a lot of sponsors so far thanks to the customers."

n Anyone who would like to sponsor the duo should call into Bourne & Mason.