A CROW country youngster saw his handiwork on show in this year s Virgin London Marathon. Sam Ashcroft, 8, of Church End, Barley, won a competition to design a t-shirt which was worn by representatives of his school, Woolgrove in Letchworth, in the marath

A CROW country youngster saw his handiwork on show in this year's Virgin London Marathon.

Sam Ashcroft, 8, of Church End, Barley, won a competition to design a t-shirt which was worn by representatives of his school, Woolgrove in Letchworth, in the marathon, which took place last Sunday.

Tim Ashcroft, Sam's dad, said his son was "chuffed to bits" that his design was chosen out of all the entries.

Meanwhile, many runners from Crow Country were celebrating after completing the course.

Leesa Duff, from Royston, was running on behalf of the Arthur Rank Hospice, completed the course in four hours and one minute.

She said: "The race itself was hard but at least I finished and didn't collapse in a heap at the end."

Sheridan Henry was competing in his first marathon, and got round the course in four hours, 18 minutes.

The Melbourn resident said: "I was looking for a time between four and a half and five hours, so I'm quite happy.

"It was really tough, you hit the wall at 18 miles, but the support from the spectators was out of this world.

"Every time I felt like stopping they were there to offer encouragement."

Mr Henry has raised over �1,600 for Asthma

Meridian School assistant head teacher David Atkins was an unsual sight, dressed in a specially adapted pantomime dame costume.

He said: "I got round in four hours two minutes, which is quicker than when I ran two years ago without the costume!

"There was plenty of good banter, with shouts of 'it's behind you' and comments about ugly sisters. We had a brilliant day."

Running on behalf of the St Elizabeth's centre in Much Hadham, Mr Atkins has raised over �2,000.