PADDINGTON Bear - aka York hairdresser Brian Hughes - completed the London Marathon in under six hours.

Brian, 49, who owns Brian's Hair Fashions in South Bank Avenue, said he was greeted by cheers and even football-style chants wherever he went in his furry costume.

"It was absolutely fantastic. We weren't doing it to run all the way - we stopped to talk to kids and dance with bands and so on. But it was very hot and sweaty in there."

He hopes at least £10,000 has been raised for Action Research.

Updated: 11:16 Monday, April 15, 2002