WEST Somerset runners were among the scores of competitors with helped to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities and good causes at Sunday's London Marathon.

Williton's Steve Fairhead raised more than £400 for Parkinson's UK, Adam Taplin, the chef at Watchet's Bell Inn raised more than £2,000 for Alzheimer's Research UK and Tania Govier of Crowcombe ran in aid of the Great Ormond Street Children's Charity.

Steve, 39, decided to raise money for Parkinson's UK in support of his father, and prepared for the epic race by taking part in both the Longleat and Taunton half marathons.

In fact, he only decided to try his luck at one of the world's most prestigious full marathons after his wife Erin successfully covered the course a few years ago.

Writing on his fundraising webpage at virginmoneygiving.com, Steve said: "In a moment of excitement after seeing Erin run it, I decided to put my name into the draw for a place in the London Marathon.

"I knew that nobody got a place in the draw, especially on their first attempt, so I'd look good for trying and act disappointed when I was rejected!"

But Steve did get a place for last year's event but was forced to postpone due to an injury.

A year later, he finally got the chance to take part in the iconic race and completed the 26.2 mile challenge in four hours, seven minutes.

He also dyed his hair blue to match his Parkinson's UK running vest - something he will have to live with until the dye grows out!

Adam completed the course in three hours, 59 minutes, just beating his target time of four hours.

He finished 10,806th out of approximately 35,000 runners and ran the course in memory of his late grandfather who suffered from dementia.

The London Marathon was Adam's first full marathon, having previously competed in 10K and half marathon events.

In 2001, he took part in the Bristol Half Marathon and raised £450 for the same cause.

"I would like to thank everyone who sponsored me and helped to organise fundraising events, including all the local businesses who generously donated raffle prizes," Adam said.

Writing on his virginmoneygiving.com fundraising page, he said Alzheimer's Research UK was a cause that was close to his heart and he had deliberately set himself a tough fundraising target.

He said: "My late grandad suffered with dementia in the last few years of his life.

"I aimed to raise £2000, which was ambitious, but I wanted my contribution to be significant enough to make a difference and for all the hard work and intense training to really be worthwhile."

Meanwhile, Crowcombe's Tania Govier raised almost £400 via her justgiving.com fundraising page alone in aid of the Great Ormond Street Children's Charity.

She successfully complete the course and was praised for her efforts by the charity's fundraising manager Laura Savory.

"Tania and all our runners should be proud of what they have accomplished both for themselves and for the children of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

"Completing the London Marathon is such a fantastic achievement," she said.

* Five Minehead Running Club members also completed the marathon.