Heavy traffic may not be a problem on the village roads of Neston, but a different kind of congestion is increasingly likely, as four women prepare for a marathon challenge.

The friends have all secured places for April’s London Marathon and can often be seen pounding the streets.

Corsham Running Club members Tash Wilkinson and Sheila Stansfield will be joined by fundraisers Lucy Burley and Sue Deane, running for Dorothy House Hospice Care and Victa (Visually Impaired Children Taking Action).

Mrs Wilkinson, 40, a mum-of-two, said: “Sheila’s an ultra-marathon runner, but this is her first one on-road, Lucy has done London and Sue and I did our first marathon in Bournemouth last October.

“I have applied four times for London, but it’s bizarre that four of us in the same village have got places.

“We all do different jobs and work different hours, so getting together to train is nigh-on impossible.

“Shelia’s the fastest; she’s aiming for under four hours.”

Sponsorship can be given via uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SueDeane or www.justgiving/lucyburley