A Sutton school teacher is now a world record holder after running the London Marathon dressed as a heart.

Woodcote High School's Joe Gale crossed the finish line in three hours and five minutes, the fastest marathon ever run by a man dressed as a love heart.

But this seemingly silly thing to do had a very heart-warming purpose.

“My grandpa David suffered from heart problems in his 50s and 60s," the 34-year-old said.

"He had an abnormal heart rhythm, but treatments and procedures pioneered by the British Heart Foundation prolonged his life and he was able to meet my son Leo who was born a few weeks before he passed away last January.”

Mr Gale has managed to raise around £1,500 so far, with donations still coming in.

"I’ve done some difficult events in my time – including a race through the Amazon rainforest, but none have been quite like this," he said.

"My motivation for running and the atmosphere all evoked so many emotions for me.

"It was so hot in the costume – I was roasting in the pen before we had even started – but the support along the way was absolutely phenomenal, it took my breath away at times and kept me going when it got really tough.”