AN aspiring animal conservationist from Manton has set herself the target of raising £1,000 as she prepares for the London Marathon.

Former St John's pupil Hannah Claydon, who will be fundraising for African animal conservation charity Tusk Trusk, is already at the 18-mile training mark ahead of the April challenge.

As the 23-year-old, who is a keen runner and will compete in the National Cross country championships in Loughborough in March, graduates with a degree in animal conservation this summer from Bridgwater and Taunton College, she felt it was the perfect charity choice.

"I am so excited to do this challenge. My training is going really well. I train six times a week and I am really keen to achieve my goal and finish as close to three hours, if not under, as possible," she said.

"I am really looking forward to the experience as there will be a fantastic atmosphere. I have never ran a road marathon, however I have ran one off-road one, Wiltshire's Neolithic Marathon last May, which was a killer.

"Later this year in June, I will then be running the Victoria Falls Half Marathon with my boyfriend Lance Pepler in Zimbabwe. I cannot wait. I really love the work that I do. I graduate this year and then hopefully I can get into this career.

"We have chosen to support the Tusk Trust to raise funds and awareness for the desperate plight of Africa's greatest animals. We want to run for the animals that have no voice.

"He is not much of a runner but we are both passionate about sport and wildlife conservation. Lance is originally from Zimbabwe and so is also very keen to help raise funds for Tusk."

To donate visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/peplerclaydon