A LAMERTON man pushed the boundaries of endurance on Sunday when he competed in the London marathon to raise money for a new sports and community centre in the village.

Daniel Worth, 25, ran the famous 26-mile course in four hours and seven minutes and was cheered on by his sister Catherine and a group of friends.

He said he would like to run again next year and was determined to cut his time to under four hours.

?It was a great atmosphere and the weather was nice, if not a little too hot,? he said.

?It did get quite painful towards the end. I hadn?t realised how painful and stiff my legs would get, but I want to do it again next year and get under four hours, which is what I was aiming for this time.?

Daniel hopes he has raised a four-figure sum for Lamerton?s sports and community centre, which was granted planning permission in December.

Daniel was brought up in the village, where he attended Lamerton Primary School, before going to Tavistock College.

He went on to study at Durham University, and is now a trainee auditor with accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

He said he chose to donate his sponsorship money to the sports and community centre project because he wanted to put something back into his community.

?When I was growing up, I always used the facilities in Lamerton, and it seemed like an ideal opportunity to give something back,? he said.

?I have seen the plans for the new centre and it looks amazing.?

Valerie Hill, chairman of Lamerton Parish Hall Committee, said the funds raised by Daniel?s efforts would be a great boost to the project.

She said: ?It?s absolutely wonderful that he has done the job for us. He went to the playgroup, the school and the youth club and he wanted to give something back to the village.

?We thought that was a wonderful gesture and we?re very grateful for his support.?

Valerie said money raised so far was being spent on architects? fees and legal costs and the next stage was to draw up a business plan for the centre, which will be built on the recreation field.

West Devon MP John Burnett visited Lamerton on Tuesday to add his weight to the hall committee?s bid for funding from Sport England.

Regular fundraising events include fortnightly coffee mornings in the hall.

These take place from 10.30am to noon on Saturdays and everybody is welcome.

A lending library and bric-a-brac stalls are available at the coffee mornings, and all proceeds go to the sports centre project.

Anyone who would like to contribute to Daniel?s sponsorship fund can contact him on 07780 607057.