VALE MP Alun Cairns finished his seventh London Marathon, raising around £9,000 for a Barry based women’s aid charity and NSPCC Cymru.

Having completed his first London Marathon in 2012, Mr Cairns has now raised more than £50,000 for local charities in the Vale of Glamorgan and across Wales.

Mr Cairns - who in previous years has been the London Marathon’s fastest MP - finished the marathon in three hours 56 minutes and was the second fastest MP, pipped by Scottish Conservative John Lamont in what was the hottest London Marathon on record.

He said: “The heat made this marathon the most difficult yet, not least because of my lack of training.

"That said, it is something I very much enjoy and the huge crowds willing me on helped me get over the line.

“The response from far and wide in donating so generously to the two great charities is great to see.

"I can’t think of two more fitting causes than Atal y Fro and NSPCC Cymru.”