After losing five stone and training for over two years to take part in this year’s London Marathon, Mark Jefford from Bedmond was left "totally gutted" when event organisers told him he could not take part.

Last week, Mr Jefford, of Chapel Way, told the Watford Observer he was overwhelmed by the response to his recent fundraising event for Cancer Research UK and he was following up the event’s success by running the London Marathon last Sunday for the charity.

But when Mr Jefford went to collect his race number from the ExCel London on Wednesday, April 22 he found out he had no race number and was told by the Sports Team manager for Cancer Research UK there had been a mix-up with his registration.

"The fundraising event I held was so successful the other week and everything was going so well," he said.

"I’ve registered for many events before, and I received a registration pack and the date to collect my race number, but the lady I spoke to at Cancer Research UK said there had been some sort of mix-up.

"I’ve raised so much money for the charity and I didn’t know what to do.

"People had pledged money to my cause and I now have to go and speak to each person individually and explain to them what happened."

Mr Jefford said he was totally gutted not to be running and was almost in tears at the news, particularly because of the amount of training and dedication he had put towards the day.

Running the London Marathon on Sunday, April 16 was also special to him because it was the date of his sister-in-law’s husband’s birthday.

Mr Jefford decided to support Cancer Research UK after his sister-in-law lost her husband to lung cancer.

The Sports Team manager for Cancer Research Mr Jefford told him that because of the mix up with his registration, there was no way he could take part in last weekend’s race, and although he was disappointed, he has since been offered free entry to take part in the next Cancer Research UK marathon in a month’s time.

He said: "I’ll definitely be running it. I think the next race they do is Edinburgh.

"I was in shock at the time, but I still want to support Cancer Research UK - that’s the main goal in all of this.

"The woman I spoke to at Cancer Research UK said all the money I’ve raised can be passed on to the next race I take part in, which is great."

To continue supporting Mr Jefford’s cause, visit virginmoneygiving.com/markjefford.