HEART patients and children with life-threatening illnesses will be just some of the people to benefit from cash collected by marathon runners from Warrington.

Dedicated fundraisers completed this year's Flora London Marathon, which covers more than 26 miles, on Sunday.

Among them was Stephen Yates, aged 44, of Goldcliff Close in Callands, who is hoping to have raised more than £2,000 after finishing the course in around five hours.

It was Stephen's 10th marathon and fourth London Marathon, and his sponsorship will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening conditions.

Last year the charity arranged for his young relative, five-year-old Thomas Yates, to go to Disneyland Paris.

Mike Mason, aged 36, of Hadleigh Close in Great Sankey, lost six stone to prepare for the marathon, and crossed the finishing line in around four hours.

He is expected to have raised more than £700 for Warrington Hospital's children's ward.

His wife Pam said that their daughter Hannah, aged nine, spent time in the children's ward when she had a stomach operation as a baby.

She said: "There is nothing you can do to express how thankful you are to the children's ward."

Miranda Charnock, aged 54, of Ridgebourne Close in Callands, completed her third London marathon in just under six hours to raise around £2,000 for Help the Aged.

She said: "The weather was so cold and wet and over the last five miles every step hurt, but I know I did the best I could and it was a great achievement."

Nigel Armstrong, aged 36, a member of Warrington Road Runners, finished in under three hours. And former Everton and England footballer Dave Watson, who lives in Grappenhall, took part in aid of the British Heart Foundation.