Lancashire’s fire chief has completed a 43-mile ‘ultra marathon’ and raised thousands for local NHS services.

Justin Johnston, an avid runner, has so far raised £2,400 for the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity by running the length of the Lancaster Canal.

Completing the run in around nine hours, alongside firefighter Sarah Holden, he was met at the finish line in Preston with cheers by a group of colleagues from Lancashire’s fire department.

Mr Johnston said: “In a crisis, there are people at the frontline and those people deserve our support as well as our admiration.

"The NHS has been doing a fantastic job in difficult circumstances, and I wanted to do something to provide some small support to help them and their patients.

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust thanked Mr Johnston for his fundraising run that was "certainly not for the faint -heart".

The fire chief is hoping to raise even more for the Trust online.

Roya Armstrong, fundraising coordinator for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are so grateful to Justin for completing such a gruelling challenge and raising such an amazing amount for the benefit of our staff and patients.

"It’s certainly not for the faint-hearted, but Justin smashed it and we are so thankful for his contribution and continued support.

"We will make sure the funds are spent on the wellbeing and care of our staff, patients and their loved ones."