A BURNLEY farmer is to run the London Marathon to raise cash for research into motor neurone disease, a condition which claimed his father's life earlier this month.

Neil Worswick had been planning to take part in the 26-mile race, but the loss has given his challenge a tragic personal twist.

Neil's father Allan died at the beginning of the month aged 60 after being diagnosed with MND last year.

The condition damages the nervous system and leaves muscles wasted and weak. A person's intellect, however, remains as good as it always was.

Before his death Allan ran the livery stables at Tattersall Farm, Hurstwood, with his wife Sheila.

This weekend's marathon will be the fifth time Neil, 36, of Water Street, Worsthorne, has run the race. He is hoping to raise up to £2,000 in sponsorship.

Friends of the farmer, who works in Barnoldswick, have rallied to the cause including one close friend, Gary Wilkinson, promising half the proceeds from a 40th birthday bash in the summer. A quiz night has also been arranged for Friday, April 30, at 8.30pm in the Bay Horse, Worsthorne. Neil, a member of Clayton Harriers running club, is hoping to run the race in a personal best time of two hours and 45 minutes.

He said: "I was going to run the marathon to raise money for motor neurone disease in any event, but dad's death has given me a personal spur to make as much as I can.

"I'm just going to try and do whatever I can do to help treatment or research into the disease.

"Dad had been ill for a while before he was finally diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year, but although we saw a lot of different doctors, nobody seemed able to say what was wrong.

"It was only after we saw a specialist that MND was diagnosed and he went downhill very rapidly after that."

Allan was treated at the Royal Preston Hospital which deals with cases of MND from the area and Neil is hoping some of the money he raises will go there.

Anyone who wants to donate can contact Neil on 01282 422046 or mobile 07909 538875.