TWO students will tackle their first marathon when they join thousands of runners who will pound through the streets of London.

Tom Hood and Ella Braillard, both 21 and studying at Durham University, will take part in the London Marathon on Sunday, April 22, to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society in memory of Ella's mother, Christine.

She died of the disease ten years ago and the pair want to raise money to thank the charity for the help it gave.

Mr Hood, from Lincoln, who is in Hatfield College and taking law, said: "They looked after Ella and her family when her mum was ill. We thought it would be a good cause. I have always wanted to do a marathon, and we decided to train for it together, and we thought of Ella's mum and decided that the MS Society would be a good charity to do it for.''

Miss Braillard, from London, is also at Hatfield College but is currently in France as part of an economics and French degree. She plans to run a half-marathon as part of her training for London.

Mr Hood said: "I haven't run a marathon before. I have been training for a few months, and it is going okay - I was reasonably fit anyway. I'm not sure what time we'll do it in.''

The pair hope to raise about £3,000 in sponsorship. To sponsor them,visit www.justgiving.com/thomashood or /ebraillard

The Government will add a percentage to the money raised through the site.