Recent tragic deaths of soldiers have fuelled the fund-raising of a Cromer mug maker who has completed a gruelling 62-mile run in aid of Help for Heroes.

Alan Lamb finished the epic cross country trek from London to Brighton in his 13 hour target time.

His fund-raising efforts are standing at £1,700, well above the £1,000 he originally had in his sights.

The race, coming just days after the terrorist killing of drummer Lee Rigby in London, saw a late peak in money raising.

'The taxi driver in London even gave me my fair back, which was generous of him,' said Mr Lamb, 44.

His collecting at Morrisons supermarket in Cromer was also boosted after a trio of soldier deaths in Afghanistan a few days earlier.

He joined about 500 other competitors for the weekend run challenge but found the last 10km were a 'real struggle and seemed to last forever.'

The route was along country paths and across 50 stiles, making it tough terrain, including some hill that lasted for 2km.

Mr Lamb, who works for Stubbs Mugs at Sheringham, said: 'I am just doing my little bit for the men who put their lives on the line every week.'

He aims to relax next weekend, with a 100-mile Norfolk cycle ride, for pleasure.