WHEN engineer Jerry Sheard made the decision to give up smoking ten years ago, by his own admission, running the London Marathon was not something he could even attempt.

He piled on the pounds and, in a bid to lose them, took up running, but managed little more than two or three miles at a time - a far cry from the 26.2 miles of a marathon.

But thanks to a little determination and a lot of effort Jerry, of Taunton Drive, Bitterne, will be taking part in his fourth marathon.

The 48-year-old said: "I always wondered what it would be like to run the marathon, but at that time it was not even a possibility. I was only running a couple of miles."

It was when a friend of Jerry's took part that he decided to look into what was involved and how to enter.

"I had to quadruple my training and start taking it really seriously," he said.

"I run ten miles every day, and as the event gets closer, I increase it to 15 at weekends."

In 2001 he completed his first London Marathon in just over four hours and has since also taken part in the New York Marathon.

He has raised more than £7,000 for charity, and this year hopes to raise £1,000 for Children with Leukaemia.

But despite running with the charity's Mr Men and Little Miss team, he said he won't be in costume.

"I wish!" he said.

"I keep promising myself I will one day, but you have to be very fit!"