A HELMSHORE man is hoping to achieve a hat-trick of marathons when he takes on the annual London race.

James Paterson, 25, has already run the Barcelona and Manchester marathons and will be attempting a third distance in aid of Crimestoppers.

The productivity manager said his decision to run for the cause was an 'obvious one'.

He said: “My dad, uncle and grandfather all worked in law enforcement, so running for a charity that helps to keep communities safe seemed an obvious choice.

“It’s a great cause to fundraise for and I was delighted when I got a place to run for them.

“Some people at work think I’m a bit crazy running three marathons in less than two months, but staff and management have been really keen to back me up.”