A mother is running her first marathon in memory of her friend who died of bowel cancer.

Jane Bennett, who lives in Radlett, will take on the Virgin Money London marathon next month to raise money for Beating Bowel Cancer.

The 49-year-old decided to run the race after her friend, Mark, died of the disease last year.

She said: "The marathon will be two days before the anniversary of his death.

"With it being such a poignant time I want to raise money to fight this terrible disease. It would also be a tribute to a wonderful man, husband and father.

"Training is going well, I’m seeing a lot of the physio."

The Radlett beauty therapist will run the race just days shy of her 50th birthday.

Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer. Each year around 41,000 people are diagnosed with the disease, but if caught early, more than 90% of cases can be treated successfully.

To donate visit: www.justgiving.com/Jane-Bennett11