SPOOKY figures made by balloon artists have been auctioned off as part of a fundraising drive by a Basingstoke security guard.

Shaun Blanchard is running the London Marathon next April and has to raise at least £2,000 for the MS Society.

It is a charity close to Shaun’s heart as both his wife Claire and his mother-in-law Heather Langley have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, which is a neurological condition.

To help pull in the pounds, the 28-year-old held various activities for the charity in The Malls shopping centre, in Basingstoke, where he works as a security guard.

The main attraction was a Hallowe’en balloon monument, made by three balloon artists. At the end of the afternoon, figures made by the artists, including a detailed witch’s face and a spider in its web, were auctioned off for the charity. Money was also raised through a tombola and skittles game.

Father-of-two Shaun, of Beach Piece, Hatch Warren, said: “I wanted to do something for the charity and I wanted to do the London Marathon, so it is a good thing to combine the two.”

His 29-year-old wife Claire was diagnosed with the condition nearly six years ago. She works in the care home where her mother lives.

Claire said: “I am very proud of my husband for doing this, and my mum, if she could express herself, would say the same.”

Anyone who wants to help Shaun reach his target can visit justgiving.com/Shaun-Blanchard2.