A weekly paper’s news editor who also volunteers as a charity press officer will take on the challenge of the London Marathon next month to raise funds for the good cause.

Alex Morrison, left, from the Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser has been getting in shape over the last few months for the 26-mile run on 17 April – which will be his first marathon.

He is aiming to raise £1,500 for WaterAid, where he has been a volunteer press officer for the charity’s West Surrey group for two years.

Alex, who is a self-confessed fitness fanatic, decided to enter the famous race after interviewing a runner while he was a reporter for the Crawley News before joining the Advertiser last October.

He said: “The last couple of months have been tiring. I enjoy my job but it’s pretty demanding, especially around deadlines, and spending half my free time running hasn’t left much time to relax.

“But when I think that the money I raise will help bring water and sanitation to people who live without these basic needs, it makes it pretty easy to go out training even when it’s cold, dark and wet outside.

“This is my first marathon and I’m determined to do it in a good time, hopefully less than three-and-a-half hours, although I know that’s a very ambitious target.

“I’m confident I can manage that if I stay injury-free and can avoid getting caught behind people dressed as rhinos, and other traffic on the day!”

To sponsor Alex visit justgiving.com.