FOR the ninth time in a row, runner Andy Hepple has pounded the streets of the capital in the London Marathon - and again he has raised funds for York's St Leonard's Hospice.

Now Andy, from Acomb, York, has presented more than £1,000 to hospice community fundraiser Judith Wilson.

The total he has raised over the years for St Leonard's now comes to more than £7,800.

Andy said that he found the weather rather too warm for running in this year's marathon, which he completed in five hours and ten minutes - a bit slower than his best time of four-and-a-half hours.

Judith said: "Those of us who find running for a bus a challenge can only admire the achievement of Andy, who has run this marathon so many times for us. We are very grateful to him for being so generous to the hospice and for his continued support."

Updated: 08:44 Thursday, May 29, 2003