ROMSEY born runner completed the London Marathon in aid of charity with just five months of training.

Matthew Charrett age 53 completed the London Marathon earlier this month for Guide Dogs UK.

This was Matthew's first marathon and he completed it in full covering 26.2 miles in a respectable five hours and four minutes.

Matt said: “The atmosphere was amazing, great support from the public all the way along the course, cheering, clapping, playing music, banging pots and pans from their doorsteps.

“Luckily the weather stayed dry apart from a quick 5-minute shower towards the end of my run.

“The last 5 miles was really hard though, just had to concentrate hard putting one leg in front of the other.

“I had stuck to a marathon training plan for 20 weeks and did a Half Marathon in August as part of my training. The plan took me up to 20-mile runs, so the last 6 miles was new territory on the day.

“So far I have raised over £2650 for the guide dogs charity from doing the marathon. It is a charity I have supported for a couple of years, along with RSPCA and Battersea Dogs and Cats home.”

Matt’s mum, Cindy Charrett from Ampfield said: “I think he did extremely well. He had to build up to the marathon distance and diet properly but Matthews very determined and I am proud.

Although this was Matthew's first marathon event, it isn’t his first fundraising event. He previously raised over £2000 for Cardiac Research in Youths by climbing the Mount Kilimanjaro.