A Ledbury-based dingy racer will run with five-times Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave in this year's Flora London Marathon.

David Davies, 42, a former chairman of Ledbury Round Table, will be running for the Steve Redgrave Trust on April 23.

This will be in support of the Association of Children's Hospices, Children With Leukaemia and the trust's own fitness programme.

Mr Davies, who is now busy training by pounding local lanes, was on a beach in Australia when he received a call from Sir Steve's team manager, asking him to join the line-up.

Mr Davies had just competed in the International Contender World Championships at Freemantle, finishing a credible 15th.

He said: "There was a warm-up half-marathon at Silverstone last weekend, where I met Steve and the rest of the team. Steve started the race with a chequered flag, to the sounds of the famous Formula One racing music."

Mr Davies has been attempting to enter the London Marathon for the last four years without success. This will be his first full marathon.

Sir Steve has set himself a personal fundraising target of £1.3m for marathons, which would be a world record for any individual.

Mr Davies is also determined to do his bit for the charities, and anyone wishing to support him should visit his website on www.justgiving.com/DavidDavies