A Harpenden man is putting his best foot forward to help local wildlife when he runs a half marathon in aid of Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.

Alan Cotterell, of Piggottshill Lane, is part of the membership team at the Wildlife Trust, and is hoping to raise awareness, as well as funds, to help the trust’s work preserving precious habitats at nature reserves throughout the county.

The 34-year-old is a keen runner and hopes for a sub two-hour finish during the Berkhamsted Half Marathon this Sunday.

This will be his first half marathon for four years so he has been preparing well, with training runs through Harpenden Common and Nomansland Common near Wheathampstead. As he gears up for the big event this weekend, Mr Cotterell is even incorporating training into his daily commute- running the six miles home from the office in St Albans.

He said: "I'm running this half marathon for a cause I care passionately about. Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust do great work for nature, so maybe my run on Sunday will inspire more people to think about supporting the trust or even becoming members.

"I’ll be running with the trust’s famous ‘badger logo’ splashed across my chest, so I should be easy to spot - and I’m hoping that people will come and lend their support."

Mr Cotterell's race number is 72. Sponsor him at: www.justgiving.com/alanjcotterell.