A Swindon doctor and marathon runner is gearing up for the ultimate challenge a marathon in the Sahara Desert.

Stephen Rhodes, 45, who is based at the Hermitage Surgery, in The Lawns, will attempt the Sahara Marathon next month a week-long race, spanning 150 miles in temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius.

He hopes to raise £4,000 in sponsorship for the Prospect Hospice, in Wroughton.

Since Dr Rhodes started training for the event in October, he has already raised more than £3,000.

He said: "The response has been amazing. But the training has been hard going and I just want to run it now."

The race is billed as the toughest on the planet.

Stephen will travel to Morocco on April 8 and join 600 people, including professional athletes, from across the world.

He will share a tent with 12 other competitors and survive on freeze-dried food.

Each day entrants will run distances between eight and 31 miles, picking up their nine-litre daily water ration at checkpoints.

To prepare for the race he has been hitting the treadmills at the Marriott Hotel's gym, in Pipers Way, and running about 60 miles a week with a15kg weight on his back because he needs to carry all his own equipment during the marathon.

He said: "It is quite daunting but I am looking forward to it. It's certainly a challenge."

Anyone who wants to sponsor him can call 01793 522492.