VALE MP Alun Cairns completed his sixth London Marathon on Sunday as the second fastest Member of Parliament.

Mr Cairns was the fastest cabinet minister completing the 26.2 mile course in 3 hours 36 minutes.

Mr Cairns ran to raise money for the Vale of Glamorgan branch of Age Connects, and Heads Together – the marathon’s charity of the year as championed by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Speaking after the race, Mr Cairns said: “The London Marathon is always extremely physically and mentally challenging, and this year was no different. The time I had available to train this year was much more limited than it had been in the past, so I was really quite nervous as to just how difficult I would find the course this year. Knowing that I was running for two such deserving charities really helped push me to the finish line.

“I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who has given their support and donated to my fundraising. I cannot wait to hand over the money raised.”

A record breaking 40,000 runners took to the streets of London to tackle the race.