VET Matt Yarnall has come up trumps for his animal charges after taking part in the London Marathon.

The 26-year-old, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, completed the gruelling course in a time of three hours and 26 minutes.

In doing so, he raised more than £1,100 for two animal charities and a local good cause – with more money still to come in.

Mr Yarnall, who works at Mile House Veterinary Centre, in the town, said: “I’ve been amazed at how generous everyone’s been. I’m very grateful to all the clients who have donated the majority of the money.

“I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would, I think some of the pain was blocked out by the crowd who were cheering me on by my name as someone had suggested writing it on my T-shirt.

“People talk about how much the crowd help you and it is so true – it felt like I had hundreds of friends out there helping me along.

“The weather helped, I think I got a bit pink with all the sun.”

Mr Yarnall was raising money for the Blue Cross pet charity, Jerry Green Dog Rescue Centres, and the Pendragon Community Trust.