AN OSWALDTWISTLE man whose mum died of cancer when he was a teenager is running a half marathon in her memory.

Alastair McEwan, 32, is hoping to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK when he runs in the Blackpool half marathon next month.

He lost his mum Doreen to stomach cancer in November 1988, when he was just 14 years old.

She was 40 when she died and had been having health problems for years before the cancer was diagnosed.

Despite undergoing an operation to remove the tumour, the cancer was already too advanced.

Alastair, who is married to Sharon and has a 12-year-old daughter Rebecca, said: "The hardest thing in the world is losing a parent when you're so young.

"If my running to raise funds for Cancer Research UK can help just one other family avoid the heartache that I, my sister and my dad went through, then it will be worth it.

"Cancer is a horrible disease and I saw my mum go through a terrible time, so I am keen to not only raise money for Cancer Research UK, but to raise awareness too."

The aircraft paint sprayer, who works at the Samlesbury British Aerospace site, recently completed the Liverpool half marathon and the Cancer Research UK Blackpool 10km event.

Anyone who would like to sponsor him is asked to call 07763 063606.