Two of Norfolk's most popular radio presenters will be swapping their microphones for running shoes as they pound the streets of London for charity.

BBC Radio Norfolk's Helen McDermott and Stephen Bumfrey have signed up to run the Virgin London Marathon as part of the Community Sports Foundation's Team Norwich City.

The team, which also includes Canaries legend Iwan Roberts, EDP editor Peter Waters and Norwich City chief executive David McNally, is raising money for the charity's Sporting Light Appeal.

Launched last year, the appeal aims to raise funds to enable the CSF to continue to run projects for disabled adults and children in Norfolk.

With six weeks to go, Mr Bumfrey is in full swing of his training.

The 52-year-old, who lives in Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, said: 'I've done the marathon twice before and both times I said I would never do it again but there's something about the day which makes it irresistible.

'You do remember how much your legs hurt and the pain in your feet but that soon gets pushed to the side when you think about being part of something as massive as the London marathon.'

Mr Bumfrey said he was so far up to about 10 miles in training.

Meanwhile, Ms McDermott's training has so far not gone to plan. The former Anglia TV presenter has pulled her hamstring and her chances of making it to the start line have been put in doubt.

If she does recover from her injury, it will be her third London marathon.

Ms McDermott, who lives near Norwich city centre, said: 'I'm really struggling at the moment, I'm hoping it's going to be okay.

'The work the Community Sports Foundation does is wonderful and although I'm not a great sport watcher and lover, exercise is so good for you; and it's so good for your mental wellbeing as well as physical, that's why I run and swim.'

To bolster Ms McDermott and Mr Bumfrey's fundraising efforts, Norse has donated �5,000 to the cause.

The Sporting Light Appeal aims to raise �50,000. About �20,000 has been raised so far.

To donate, go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TeamNorwichCity

kate.scotter@archant.co.uk