JEREMY Van Hagen is all geared up to take on his first London Marathon – dressed as a rhino.

The 48-year-old, of Higher Mead, Lychpit, will take on the 26-mile challenge in April, wearing the 7ft costume, which thankfully has an opening for sight and air.

The IT resource manager said: “I am relishing the challenge. I have been training for the past 12 months and I’m up to 16 miles, but that’s without the costume.

“I can endure heat reasonably well – it’s just the distance and physical endurance that will be the major thing. I think it will take the best part of five hours.”

He said that running the Virgin London Marathon had always been an ambition, and last year he missed out in the ballots for a place.

This year, he applied to run for Save the Rhino, which fundraises for the conservation of endangered species of the animal.

The charity has loaned him the costume for a few weeks, so that he can get used to running in it and take it out into Basingstoke town centre to raise money.

He is also planning to visit primary schools in Basingstoke, including St Mary’s Junior School, in Belle Vue Road, Old Basing.

To sponsor Mr Van Hagen, visit justgiving .com/Jeremy-van-hagen.