THE mayor of Okehampton has completed a half-marathon to raise money for this year's mayoral charities.

Cllr Paul Vachon (pictured above) completed the Great West Run in Exeter on October 19 to raise money for his three mayoral causes, the Royal British Legion Poppy Fund, Toilet Twinning and Ocmundtune Creative Arts.

It is not the first time that Cllr Vachon has run a half-marathon to support the town's mayoral charities.

As deputy mayor back in 2012, he was challenged by then-mayor Cllr the Rev Mike Davies to run the Bristol half-marathon for Children's Hospice South West and Okehampton and District Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Cllr Vachon said: 'I found it a tough race — the weather was hot and sunny and I struggled over the finish line at 2 hours 55 minutes — my slowest time ever for a half marathon.

'I was happy to find that that I wasn't the last to finish. There were a least another 100 runners behind me — 2,700 runners started the race. A big thank you to all the people who sponsored me.'

To date the mayor has raised over £100 for his charities. To pledge a donation, e-mail [email protected]">[email protected] visit the enquiries page of http://www.okehampton.gov.uk">www.okehampton.gov.uk or fill out a sponsor form at the town council front desk.