A London Marathon runner was given an extra leg up when a Christmas Fair she organised to raise money for her to take part in the annual event raised more money than expected.

Amy Dunnett, 27, had aimed to raise �1,000 from the fair she organised with her family at their College Farm racehorse training stables in Hingham, but instead the total was �4,112 and more donations are expected.

She said: 'To raise that amount was quite impressive. It was way more than what we were expecting. We thought it would be good to raise �1,000.'

She will be completing the gruelling 26 mile capital course next April to raise money for Brain Tumour UK, a charity close to Amy's heart because her father Peter died from a brain tumour in 1998, aged just 47.

To take part, she needed to raise �2,500 but is now thinking of pushing on towards the �5,000 mark.

The charity provides online support, by phone or by email and helps to identify better treatments and care for brain tumour patients.

She has previously spoken of how tough it was to cope after her father died because there was not much research into brain tumours or support for families available at the time.

Visitors to the fair in early December were treated to displays of glass blowing and birds of prey in addition to festive food, drink, crafts and games stalls.

Santa himself had a Grotto at the event, while there was also face painting for the children.

Amy, an assistant for special needs children in London, thanked organisations that had stalls at the fair, which she organised with brothers Chris, 29 and Richard, 26 and sisters Rachel, 23 and Alice, 13.

To sponsor Amy, visit www.justgiving.com/amyjanedunnett.