British Airways pilot David Brown was thrilled to complete the London Marathon in his target of under four hours on Sunday.

The 40-year-old ex-TA serviceman, from Charl-ton, near Malmesbury, ran in aid of BLESMA, the British Limbless Ex Service Men’s Association, after serving in the 4th/5th Battalions, The Green Howards.

“I wouldn’t say running the marathon was good fun but it’s a big personal achievement being able to do something like this and set a target,” he said.

“It was not too bad; it was hot, that was the main thing. It was hard going really from the very beginning with the sun out, but it wasn’t too humid, which was a plus.

“I learnt lessons from the last time I ran it and I tried not to set out too fast and kept at the same speed throughout.

“The last time I ran it I hit the wall at 22 miles but I can remember what happened in the last five or six miles this time.”