It is on your marks, get set, go for a Preston joiner who is running the Flora London Marathon on April 23 to raise money for a local carers charity.

Frank Curzon, 50, of Aldwych Drive, Ashton, will run the 26-mile route to raise £3500 for Tender Nursing Care, based at St Mary's Health Centre, St Mary's Road, Bamber Bridge.

The father-of-two has done numerous long distance runs since 2000, including the New York Marathon and the Great North Run, and raised thousands of pounds for charity.

Tender Nursing Care provides care for people who need constant care to give relatives a rest from the exhausting task of caring for their loved one.

He wanted to run because family and friends, including mother, Gertrude, suffered from cancer and he thinks the service the charity's nurses offer would have been appreciated at the time.

He said: "My mum needed constant care but there was nothing like this to help the people who were caring for her.

"I want to make sure Tender Nursing Care has enough money to give the best care possible."

Mr Curzon, who owns Ashton-based CJS Joiner and Aerostructures Ltd, said he had the full support of wife, Susan, 51, and daughters Lucy, 21 and Sally, 25.

ucy has even got the bug herself because she ran a warm-up race in New York with her dad.

He said: "I think she's going to get into it.

"They're all really proud of what I'm doing and will be cheering me on but I need everyone's support so I can raise as much as possible. Hopefully people in Preston will help me reach my target."

To sponsor Mr Curzon ring 01772 729532/07711 548301.