A runner from Esher will run seven marathons in four months, finishing in South Africa in the Comrades Marathon.

Roger Brooks, of West End Gardens, will finish his challenge in June by running 54 miles from Durban on the coast to Pietermaritzburg, an inland town close to where he grew up.

Mr Brooks said: “When I set up my training plan, it became clear that I would need to do a lot of long runs in training for the Comrades race.

“In the end I decided to enter five marathons because my training runs and will hopefully manage my final event - two marathons back to back, plus a bit more.”

Mr Brooks will run the Heartbreak marathon at the end of February, Steyning Stinger Trail marathon in March, Brighton marathon in April and the three forts and Milton Keynes marathons in May.

All the marathons will completed in aid of Princess Alice Hospice, a charity based just a few hundred metres from Mr Brooks’ house.

Mr Brooks said: “I will get great motivation as I battle through the training runs and the first five marathons knowing that I am making a real difference to the care and support the charity can provide.

“Knowing I am helping my local charity when I am thousands of miles away in South Africa completing what I am sure will be my biggest challenge will be great motivation.”

No strange to physical challenges, Mr Brooks ran 1,000km in just over four months, with his efforts including three marathons and a 56km ultra marathon and raised over £4,600 for a spinal injury charity.

To sponsor Mr Brooks in his challenge for Princess Alice Hospice, visit justgiving.com/Roger-Brooks1.