A DAD-of-two from Haslingden whose great-grandad died while fighting in the First World War, is running the London Marathon in his memory.

Alan Lundberg-Bury, a senior design engineer at BAE Systems who lives in Whitecroft Meadows, never knew his great grandad, Private Thomas Bury, who died while serving in the 1st East Lancashire Regiment.

Alan’s great uncle, Division Private Thomas Barlow Hargreaves, who served in the Royal Naval 63rd Division, survived the Great War, and went on to become Mayor of Haslingden from 1952 to 53.

The dedicated 50-year-old, has so far run 400 miles this year while training for the 26.2 mile event on April 13. He said: “Our family know very little about either of them, because my dad was only four when my granddad went away to war. It’s sad because I would have loved to have known them, or something about them.

“I want to raise £1,500 for The Solders’ Charity in their memory, and for families and soldiers affected by war. Seeing the bond between my children and their grandparents, it makes me wish I could have had the same.”

Alan said he has quite an athletic family, with his son Henry, 12, and daughter Hanna, 17, both having run with the Rossendale Harriers.

He said: “I did the marathon in 2 hours 56 minutes and 11 seconds last year As that was deemed good for my age, I was guaranteed a place this year.”

To sponsor Alan, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Longname.