Mike Pollard from ForgeFix has successfully completed the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon for charity.

Mr Pollard, who is national sales manager at the distributor of fixings, fasteners, power tool accessories and hardware, ran the 26 miles and 385 yard course in five hours, 40 minutes and 41 seconds.

He ranked 492nd in his age category (60 - 64) and took 34,384th place overall out of a total of 40,382 runners - the highest number of entrants ever seen for the event.

Mr Pollard’s efforts have successfully raised £3,600 for Alzheimer's Society. He completed the course dressed as a giant forget-me-not flower, which forms an integral part of the Alzheimer's Society's logo.

He was sponsored not only by friends and family but also by a number of businesses from across the building and DIY industry - including Toolbank, DEWALT, Wera, Broadfix, Roughneck, BIZ Power Tools and of course, ForgeFix.

Additional sponsors included Andyfreight (whose haulage, warehousing and distribution services are widely used by the building and DIY industry), specialist insurance brokers, P B Curran, and OGL Computer - a provider of IT solutions to businesses in the trade sector.

Each of these businesses sponsored a petal on Mr Pollard's costume.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Mr Pollard will also be cycling the Way of the Roses - a 170 mile coast-to-coast bike ride from Morecambe to Bridlington - for Alzheimer's Society on 12-14 May. In addition, he plans to cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats for the charity in 2018.

Mr Pollard has also applied to take part in next year's Virgin Money London Marathon. He hopes to complete the course in under five hours by taking part without wearing fancy dress.

Commenting on his achievements, Mr Pollard said: "Running the London Marathon was certainly arduous - both physically and mentally.

"Whilst I'm a little disappointed with my time, I am delighted at raising so much money for Alzheimer's Society. I'd like to thank all those individuals and organisations who sponsored me."

Those looking to back Mr Pollard's next charity fundraising endeavours can do so by visiting his JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Mike-Pollard4.