OKEHAMPTON's deputy mayor Cllr Paul Vachon has run a half-marathon to raise money for this year's mayoral charities.

Cllr Vachon was challenged by town mayor Cllr the Rev Mike Davies to join him in running the Bristol half-marathon to raise funds for his two mayoral charities, Children's Hospice South West and Okehampton and District Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Unfortunately, the mayor had to pull out of the challenge due to illness earlier in the year. But Cllr Vachon continued his training to fulfil his pledge. He completed the course in two hours and 40 minutes, finishing 9,523 out of more than 14,000 entrants.

He said: 'There was a great atmosphere with crowds of spectators. The whole event was very well organised. I have run many marathons, half-marathons and even mountain runs in the UK as well as the US, and I rate this as one of the best.

'It was only slightly marred by a knee injury suffered at mile six — I was grateful for the ice pack treatment given by the injuries team at the finish.'

So far Cllr Vachon has raised more than £200 for the two charities, but further donations are welcomed at the town hall reception.