He may be 60 next month, but Wootton Bassett sporting personality Chris Kirkland has no plans to hang up his running shoes.

Mr Kirkland, the town's sports development officer and former deputy head teacher of Wootton Bassett School, is running in the New York Marathon on November 5 for the first time

He is no stranger to long-distance running having already completed six London Marathons and one in Rotterdam.

Over the years he has lost count of the total amount he has raised for charity, but his highest total was £16,650 for Wootton Bassett School.

This year he has decided to support Get Kids Going, a charity which buys equipment to enable disabled children to take part in sports.

He said: "When I did my last London Marathon in 1997 my wife Maureen said: 'That's it you're not doing any more.'

"So I did one in Rotterdam and I thought it would be nice in the millennium year to go to New York. It is perhaps the biggest marathon in the world with 40,000 people taking part, so you don't worry about speed just enjoy yourself."

Three years ago Mr Kirkland won a civic award for his outstanding efforts for the school and community. He organises the town's charity fun run every year as well as football trips and programmes for youngsters.

In January this year he was named North Wiltshire District Council's sports personality of the year. His nomination was supported by former England manager Bobby Robson.