RUNNER Graham Jobes, who has twice completed the London Marathon, said a run between Malmesbury and Chippenham on January 27 will be his last challenge.

Mr Jobes, 44, of Hanks Close, Malmesbury, is running the ten miles between the towns to raise cash for a host of charities.

He has already helped to raise more than £30,000 for charities including the British Diabetic Society, Leukaemia Research and Malmesbury Mencap.

"This will be my last one, I shan't do it any more," said Mr Jobes, whose three children, Daniel, 15, Rebecca, 12, and five-year-old Natasha, will take it in turns to run part of the distance with him.

"I just want to give it a break, having been running for 20 years, which is a long time considering it has all been in my spare time. I will be pleased to be able to come home, relax, and not worry about going out in the rain, cold or snow."

Mr Jobes said he has so far raised £600, but said he hopes to push the total up after Christmas.

"It's difficult at the moment, with Christmas coming up, and having just had Children in Need," he added.

Dyson has donated a DC07 vacuum cleaner, worth about £250. Mr Jobes said he would sell it for around £100, to raise money towards the run.

Malmesbury and Chippenham mayors past and present will cheer on the runner.

Starting from The Triangle in Malmesbury, he will be cheered on by Malmesbury Mayor John Bowen, and former mayor Brian Denley.

Mr Jobes plans to finish at Woods Design and Print, Bumper's Farm, Chippenham, where he will be met by mayor Barbie Dawson, and former mayor John Owens.

Charities set to benefit from the run include Macmillan Cancer Relief, Parkinson's Disease Society, Malmesbury Hospital and The Society for Mucoplysaccharide Diseases.

Anyone wanting to sponsor Mr Jobes can call him on (01666) 825691.