Dereham marathon fund-raiser Ian Odgers has battled back to fitness and is gearing up for his latest running epic - and has also organised a charity night in Dereham.

It will be Ian's sixth London Marathon when he joins tens of thousands of others pounding the streets of the capital on April 22 and will bring his total number of marathons to 13.

This year he is running for Cancer Research UK and said: 'I lost my grandad when I was young so have first hand experience of this terrible illness and it is something that touches all of our lives.'

Ian has had to overcome a serious injury to be ready for the race.

He said: 'After what seemed like a lifetime - actually just over 6 months)- I was finally able to get the trainers back on after three stress fractures of my second metatarsals, two on my right foot and one on my left.

'It was tough going gettin back enough fitness to contemplate doing another marathon but I am starting to plan my race day routine once again.'

The charity night at the Railway Tavern in Dereham on Friday is also for Cancer Research. There is no charge to attend but all donations are welcome.

There will be a raffle and auction of some signed football memorabilia.

Ian thanked everyone who has sponsored a T-shirt, donated a raffle prize or donated on line at: www.runningsponsorme.org/ianodgers1