A Bradford on Avon town councillor and former mayor was one of more than 40,000 runners who took part in this year's London Marathon on Sunday.

Simon McNeill-Ritchie, 60, set off from Blackheath and more than 26 miles and five and a half hours later crossed the finish line on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace.

By completing the marathon, he hopes to raise over £2,000 for the Armed Forces charity, SSAFA.

Simon, who also ran last year's virtual London Marathon around war memorials in west Wiltshire, said: "It was a hard day and the weather wasn't always kind to us.

"But the crowds along the route really cheered us on, and having waited two years there was almost a sense of carnival. I take my hat off to those who ran as rhinos, firemen, telephone boxes and pints of beer."

"Having experienced the real thing now, I may not run another full marathon. But I am already signed up for the Bath Half next March."