A WEE County woman has achieved one of her most ambitious personal goals to date.

Vicky Brown has taken on the local half marathon for around four years, running in the group Alloa Ladies to raise money for Diabetes UK.

For a while, she had thoughts of aiming higher by tackling a longer race, but never actually set herself a bigger challenge.

However, she decided to change that this year and signed up to the Virgin London Marathon – going on to cross the finish line in around five hours.

The 30-year-old came home invigorated from the 26.2 mile run, on Sunday, April 24, and would love to do it all over again.

She said: "London was fantastic; one word can only describe the whole experience – epic. I'm already signed up for next year."

The Alloa Ladies group was formed as a tribute to Chanel Alexander, who passed away due to complications with type 1 diabetes in 2012.

Friends have been running the Alloa Half Marathon in her memory since it was set up, along with other fundraising activities, in aid of Diabetes UK.

This year Vicky, one of the founding members, was joined by Joanne ORourke, Kerry McFarlane, Lillian Gray, Justin Lyon, Hazel Beveridge and Jenifer Gibson for the 13 mile run.

She also decided the London event would be a great way to top up their fundraising target for 2016.

She ran on behalf of the national charity and the race – along with the Clackmannanshire one in March – gathered thousands.

She said: "One of the highlights of taking part in the London Marathon was meeting the other Diabetes UK runners.

"I have now made some truly inspiring friends for life, we are already arranging a Diabetes UK reunion outwith running in London.

Over the next two weeks the group will calculate the amount raised – currently more than £2000 – and Vicky said "everyone has been incredible".

She added: "A local business JBP transport, who my employer work with regularly, donated £100 to me... towards the fundraising.

"As I say the support and generosity from friends, family, work colleagues and friends of friends has been remarkable. Completely overwhelmed with the support I have received from the Wee County."