BLACKPOOL'S own marathon man, Gary Harrison, overcame personal injury to run the London Marathon and raise £350 towards a computer and printer for Norbreck Primary School which were delivered earlier this week.

Generous Gary, who owns Norbreck Car Parts, put in six months of gruelling training for the big run and even pulled his hip out in the process.

"My wife is a nurse and our daughter was only six months old when I started training last April, so I had to fit in training when I could. I set off at 6am three times a week and ran to Fleetwood Pier and back," he said. "And then I pulled my hip out! I had treatment, but sometimes I was running in the freezing cold and pitch dark in agony!"

Gary decided to run for the school near his business on Fleetwood Road rather than a big national charity because "I wanted to keep it local and hoped to put some money back into the community.

"It was all the more worth it in the end, though," added Gary. "It was one of the best days of my life. The atmosphere was amazing, with everyone cheering you on and children running out to give you sweets.

"I thought I had a claim to fame when I overtook Frank Bruno, but then I realised practically everyone else had overtaken him too! Then as I neared the finish a rhino sprinted past me!

"My dad, wife and daughter were by the finishing line and as I ran over the line I carried my daughter in my arms. It was absolutely brilliant."

IT co-ordinator for Norbreck Primary School, Andrew Conway, said: "We are always grateful for donations, but we were very pleased when we heard Mr Harrison was offering to run the London Marathon for us. The amount he raised was really excellent and allowed us to buy this computer for which we were really desperate."

A WINNER: Gary (right) officially hands over the computer to (left to right) pupils Oliver Stewart, Laura Berry and teachers Andrew Conway and Simon Timson