A SCIENTIST from Blackburn is hoping crowds will cheer him home when he tackles the London Marathon tomorrow.

Dr Tom Levette, 52, of Morecambe Road, is hoping to complete the gruelling course in four-and-a-half hours and raise hundreds of pounds for MACS, a charity for partially sighted and dyslexic children.

Dr Levette, a researcher at Bolton Institute, ran the marathon three years ago and says he is "absolutely confident" he will cross the finishing line.

He added: "I think I must be mad to be doing it again because it is a big physical challenge.

Anyone interested in sponsoring him can call 01200 444653 and look out for race number 46825.