RUNNERS from across the county took part in the London Marathon.

The most popular marathon in the country took place on Sunday and saw a number of local runners take part.

Soldier Wayne Smith, 34, ran the marathon for a charity that will be making Ronkswood seven-year-old Lily-Mai’s dream of meeting TV character Mr Tumble come true.

Lily-Mai, who has terminal cancer, is the daughter of Wayne’s partner, Liz.

Mr Smith said: “Lily-Mai has a terminal cancer diagnosis so every day is both a blessing and a battle.

“In the year or so that Lily-Mai has been in my life I have seen her slowly deteriorate – she has less energy and is less mobile as time goes by.

"Luckily she has a fantastic mum, my girlfriend Liz, and a big brother and sister, Blake and Chloe, who all enjoy entertaining Lily-Mai, which is sometimes a difficult job especially as she becomes tired quite quickly these days."

Sam Fletcher from Worcester was running for St Richards Hospice and Scott Barmby running for Breast Cancer Now.

Other runners for St Richard’s included Gloria Kerrigan, Nick French, Ruth Bennett, Andy McManus, Kevin Garness and Steve Smith.

Mike Lloyd, from Worcester shed seven stone in a year for the marathon from 19 stone to 12 stone for Leukaemia CARE.

Mr Lloyd said before the race: "This is a huge challenge for me but I'm going to really push and make it happen, especially if I have the backing of you kind folk reading this.

Mum-of-two Louise Hird, 38, from Droitwich Spa, ran the marathon to celebrate 10 years of being cancer free.

She said: “I’m running because I am 10 years clear of cancer, having been diagnosed at age 28 and 36 weeks pregnant.”

She is running for the Grace Kelly Ladybird Trust “because dealing with cancer as an adult is bad enough, but children should not have to suffer”.

Matt Nicholls, 42, from Worcester, who teaches at Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College raised money for Children with Cancer. His mother, Cathy, overcame bowel cancer, and his two uncles have also been affected by cancer.

Sam Charlwood, from Droitwich, who suffered from depression, wanted to raise £500 for MIND – The Mental Health Charity.Having lost two-and-a-half stone through Weight Watchers, she started running four years ago, enrolling on Droitwich Athletics Club’s annual Couch to 5k programme.

Mum-of-two Louise Hird, 38, from Droitwich Spa, ran the marathon to celebrate 10 years of being cancer free.

She said: "I'm running because I am 10 years clear of cancer, having been diagnosed at age 28 and 36 weeks pregnant."

She is running for the Grace Kelly Ladybird Trust "because dealing with cancer as an adult is bad enough, but children should not have to suffer".