WHEN marathon man Steven Higginbottom takes to the streets for his evening training, daughter Lauren certainly isn't left in the dark.

For the 22-month-old girl likes nothing better than to accompany her dad in her three-wheel pram, complete with its own set of lights. The pram has been specially adapted to ensure it can be seen by passing traffic as Steven pounds the roads.

And the 36-year-old baker, who works at the Asda store in Bury, hopes to reel in the dough when he takes part in two marathons to raise cash for a cause inspired by Lauren.

"She was born 10 weeks prematurely at Fairfield General Hospital and weighed 2 lbs 11 ozs. She was looked after by the hospital's special baby care unit," he said.

Steven will take part in two gruelling marathons in the space of two weeks to raise cash for the unit. He will run the Manchester Marathon on October 13 and compete in the Snowdonia Marathon on October 27.

The keen athlete, who lives with his partner Judith in Chaffinch Drive, Bury, has already taken part in six previous marathons and has raised cash for Bury Hospice and the NSPCC.

But the proceeds from October's runs will go towards Fairfield's special baby care unit.

"I feel they did a cracking job when Lauren was born. Without them, I wouldn't have the pleasure of my daughter."

Steven clocks up around 50 miles each week during his rigorous training schedule. And because he's constantly accompanied by Lauren, he's one long distance runner who is anything but lonely. "I take Lauren out with me in her pram. Because I train in the evenings, I've fitted the pram with its own cycle lights. I can switch them on when it gets dark."

Anyone who would like to sponsor Steven during his two forthcoming marathons can contact him at Asda on 763 1261.