A DOCTOR is gearing up to take part in his marathon debut in London this month.

Between surgeries at his twin practices at Belmont and Sherburn, near Durham, Dr Patrick Wright is reaching a peak in his preparations for the London Marathon.

Although reasonably fit, Dr Wright, 45, admits his previous sporting passions were more team and ball orientated than pounding the roads.

But after reading an advert isement in a medical magazine appealing for volunteers to make up a team of GPs to run in the marathon, Dr Wright decided to apply.

Helped by his seven-year-old daughter, Laura, who accompanied him on his first training runs while riding her bike, Dr Wright is now covering 19 miles in training.

Dr Wright will join a team of 30 GPs from across the country as part of Team Flora UK, raising money for the British Heart Foundation.

Their celebrity team mascot is actress Lucy Benjamin, who plays Lisa Fowler in the soap EastEnders.

Dr Wright said: "I have not really set myself a target as it is the first time I have done a marathon, I just really want to get around the course, but I suppose four hours would be nice."

Watching television coverage of the April 12 marathon will be Laura, brothers Andrew and Christopher, and Dr Wright's wife, Wendy.

Anyone wanting to sponsor Dr Wright is asked to call 0191-384 7577.