AN INSPIRATIONAL London marathon runner who once tipped the scales at 25 stone battled back from the brink of death- and found love along the way.

Paul Woodward, who lives in Harcourt Road, lost a third of his body weight in six years, shedding 8.5 stone, to complete the London Marathon in a time of 7:37.

The Lloyds cashier, who credits running with turning his life around, was helped over the finish line by his sweetheart and biggest supporter Dawn Shoemark, who he met through the Les Slinn All-Stars running club,

“It shows what you can achieve when you exercise and eat right, I didn’t care about a time, I just wanted to complete it, there was no other way. I was always going to do it and I did,” the 56-year-old said.

“It helped having Dawn there with me, as I could barely walk the final bit but she motivated me.

“I was able to run the last 200m which was what I always planned to do, I did it.”

Paul had a bigger mountain to climb than endurance. In 2010, weighing in at 25 stone, he was hospitalised with viral pneumonia, and given a 20 percent chance of survival.

“I’d always been a big build but the weight slowly started piling on. I was admitted to hospital with viral pneumonia, and placed into intensive care. It was touch and go and a wake-up call for me”," the keen jive dancer said.

“I wasn’t looking after myself and my eating habits were all over the place."

One year on from his brush with death, on the recommendation of a friend, Paul joined Les Slinn Personal Training, West Swindon in a bid to overhaul his diet and fitness levels.

“A lot of the struggle is getting started, it wasn’t easy but it was worth every second. I would have breakfast every day. stop eating after 8pm, drink two litres of water every day, have green tea.

“It was a gradual change, the main thing was feeling better in myself, less out of breath and the weight just started falling off.”

Paul, known as Woody, then reignited a 30-year-old love of running, and sprinted into the All-Stars where his confidence grew.

“I was the slowest in the group but that never mattered to me, I knew I enjoyed it and I knew I was improving," said Paul.

Five half-marathons under his belt later, Paul took up the ultimate endurance challenge in aid of the Salvation Army.

“I always said I wanted to do the London Marathon but I never thought I would be able to. But I started pushing myself further and further.

“Then eight months ago my life changed again, I’d always been single and hadn’t had children but I met my partner Dawn who is also a runner and she spurred me on."

But even then it wasn’t smooth sailing. Paul battled a recurring knee injury which turned out to be arthritis and two chest infections to be race-ready.

“I did think about deferring until next year but I didn’t know if I would be able to do it. It was now or never. And the day was one of the proudest moments of my life.

“You only really appreciate the marathon the day after and receiving the medal was incredible.

“They told me that I am an inspiration, six years ago no-one would have put me down to do a marathon but here I am. It's changed my whole life.”