A PRIMARY school teacher who lost her husband to cancer is in training to tackle the London Marathon on Sunday in his memory.Mother-of-two Linda Herbert, who lives in Bromeswell, near Woodbridge, had never done any running before – but now hopes to finish the 26-mile course in less than four-and-a-half-hours.

A PRIMARY school teacher who lost her husband to cancer is in training to tackle the London Marathon on Sunday in his memory.

Mother-of-two Linda Herbert, who lives in Bromeswell, near Woodbridge, had never done any running before - but now hopes to finish the 26-mile course in less than four-and-a-half-hours.

Mrs Herbert, 38, made the decision to tackle the gruelling race after husband Paul lost his battle with throat and tongue cancer in May 2003.

Despite her job at Sandlings Primary School in Woodbridge, and the pressures of being a mother to eight-year-old Ben and five-year-old Helen, she has been training four times a week.

Mrs Herbert, who has raised more than £750 for Cancer Research UK so far, said: "I'm quite sporty, but I'd never done any running before Paul died.

"He underwent several large operations but sadly never fully recovered. After a very difficult two months, in which he was tremendously strong and brave for us all, he died of lung cancer.

"I feel we know so little about cancer that we need to do as much as possible to understand it.

"That's why I decided to run the marathon - to raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK."

Cancer Research UK's running manager Helen Jackson said: "We're delighted that Linda is part of the team this year.

"Her support is invaluable in helping us control cancer within two generations.

"So many people are touched by cancer but, thanks to research, more people than ever before are hearing the words 'all-clear' and Linda's support is helping us to achieve this."

If you already have a place in the marathon but would to run for Cancer Research UK, call 0870 2427095, or e-mail londonmarathon@cancer.org.uk.