A Grimsby nurse is swapping the Great Wall of China for the streets of London by running the London Marathon in aid of children in North East Lincolnshire.

Linda Patrick (45), of Marklew Avenue, is fresh from her Great Wall of China Bike Ride in aid of Mencap in October, when she raised £2,500.

Now she is preparing to pound the pavements of London along with her friend and postwoman, Diana Ladlow, (58), of Macaulay Street.

They have called on supporters to sponsor them as they run in the London Marathon on April 14 to raise money for North East Lincolnshire ChildLine.

They have started their run up to the marathon with 25-mile-a-week practice runs round Grimsby.

Diana is chairman of Friends of ChildLine in North East Lincolnshire.

She said: "Children need to be able to turn to someone at a time of crisis and ChildLine is one of the answers for them."

Diana said her job keeps her fit but both she and Linda are having regular training in the run up to the marathon.

Anyone wishing to support Linda and Diana can contact them on (01472) 314132.