A WELL known Watton sportsman will be running this year's London Marathon in memory of a close friend who died.

A WELL known Watton sportsman will be running this year's London Marathon in memory of a close friend who died.

Gordon Pitcher, known for his roles organising events in Saham Toney, will be pounding the pavement for more than 26 miles this April in memory of Stephen Mower.

Mr Pitcher, 58, of Queensway, Watton, is present of the village's cricket club, chairman of the football club and playing field, and on the committee of the Stephen George Mower Memorial Social Club - and will be running his third marathon to raise funds for all these courses.

He said: 'My main focus is to compete in memory of Steve Mower who was a very good friend of mine and who done a tremendous amount of work while he was alive for the clubs who I am running for.

'I now feel that it is the time to put back into the organisations that I feel very passionate about. I am very proud to be running for the village I was born in and hope that everyone supports me as best as possible.'

To sponsor Mr Pitcher forms can be collected from Wells Cole Community Centre, Saham Toney's The Old Bell and Post Office or The Stephen George Mower Memorial Social Club, or e-mail gordonpitcher@fsmail.net