A 72-year-old former Royal Marine from Exmouth is gearing up to take on the challenge of the Washington Marathon.

A 72-year-old former Royal Marine from Exmouth is gearing up to take on the challenge of the Washington Marathon.

Alfie Bass, who served in the Royal Marines for 37 hopes to reach the finishing post ahead of retired marine David Woodley, 55, also from Exmouth.

The pair will run the Marine Corps Marathon in memory of their former marine friend, Pete Adams, who died at the beginning of the year.

The two Exmouth men will be part of a team of six, including four serving marines based at Lympstone - Lieutenant Brian Bennett, 38, Neil McAuslane, 40, Corporal Mark Yates, 30 and Marine Christopher Pratt, 31.

The team will be running for a host of local charities, including Help for Heroes, RM Benevolent Fund, Not Forgotten Association and Hospiscare.

Team manager David Woodley said: "With a combined age of 126 years for Alfie and myself, we will have to dig deep to finish and we hope people will dig deep and support us through sponsorship."

The team leaves for Washington on October 21 with the race taking place on four days later.

Anyone wishing to sponsor the team should make cheques payable to Central Bank CTCRM (Trg Store) and send them to Central Bank, CTCRM, Lympstone, Exmouth, EX8 5AR or by phone to (01392) 414052.