THREE MEN are busy pounding the streets of Leigh in preparation for the London marathon.

Pals Paul Ralphs, of Brooklands Avenue, Neil Callan, of Brookfield Street and Shaun McCall, of Moorgate Drive, Astley, are running for charity and would like to hear from anyone who would like to sponsor them when they run in the Flora London Marathon on April 22.

Shaun, 33, said the trio had been training hard for the big day. He said: "We've been training for the last six or seven months and we've been running about 40 miles a week.

"I have run the marathon before in 1989 and it's very hard. My body is a bit different from what it was 12 years ago!"

Paul, 37, and Neil, 33, are running in aid of Scope (the Spastic Society) and have already raised £1,000. They are also raising money for the Alan Helm Appeal. Alan was a friend who suffered from polio and died last year.

Shaun is running for Victa, a charity for visually impaired children and so far he has raised about £900. To sponsor the men contact 609850.