RICHARD Blois may be 81, but he still has a spring in his step - and is determined to run the London Marathon for the 23rd time.

The agile pensioner has competed in several international Masters Games, taking home four silver medals, as well as his 22 London Marathon medals.

His personal best for a marathon was two hours 45 minutes, which he did when he was 55.

Mr Blois, of Heritage Way, Rochford, said: "I started running when I was 40 because I was two stones overweight. I got involved after that properly.

"But I did a lot of running in the Army. I ran against Sidney Wooderson who held the world record for the fastest mile in 1937, because we played together in the 9th Airbourne Division football team."

Mr Blois started jogging at Basildon Athletics Club, where he realised he could beat runners half his age.

He said: "My first race was in Thurrock. It was cross country and I didn't want to be last. There was one bloke in front of me and I chased him up the hill. At the finish I asked how old he was. He said he was 28."

However, Mr Blois says he is not as fit as he used to be and his 21-year-old daughter, Lucy, might beat him this time.

He said: "Last year I had to walk it all because I had a catheter in up until the week before. Because it was for the charity I decided to walk it and did it in seven hours, 15 minutes.

"But I've put a challenge out to my daughter for the Southend half marathon in October. I plan to get out there really racing again. She's faster than me - she's been training well."

Mr Blois's running also aids Little Havens Hospice, a charity he has raised about £40,000 for through his running career.

He said: "Over two marriages I've had seven children and ten grandchildren. All my children have been all right so I've always done it for the less privileged."