A FARMER'S wife from Spreyton is heading for the big city in April to run the London Marathon for the first time.

Angela Hawkins has applied to run the marathon several times before, but has never succeeded getting through the ballot.

Back in October, Angela received a letter telling her she had been accepted to run for Cancer Research UK.

Angela said: 'I'm running in memory of my mum, who lost her battle against cancer two years ago, aged 69. In the past ten years, I have also lost my sister-in-law Susie, father-in-law Donald, niece Emma, aged 27, and my son lost his friend, Dan, aged 23.'

Angela says she hopes to raise £1,000 to help save others from the dreadful disease.

Angela's training schedule is gradually building up, ready for the 26-mile run in April, though she says she is not setting herself a time limit and just wants to cross the finish line.

'I've been building my training up since October, and I'm now at 13 miles — look on the bright side, I've only got to do that twice and I'm there!'

Angela will be joined in London by her husband Frank, son Joseph, and daughter Vicki and her boyfriend James, while son Daniel will stay at home and look after the farm — and will be watching out for his mother on television.

Donations can be sent to North Beer Farm, Spreyton, Devon, EX17 5AP or people can donate online at http://www.runningsponsorme.org/angelahawkins1">www.runningsponsorme.org/angelahawkins1