A St Albans dad is running the equivalent of six marathons through the desert for the largest hospital ship in the world.

Mark Spitzer, who turns 50 this year, will take on the Marathon des Sables, a 156 mile race through the Sahara desert, starting on Friday, 7 April.

A full-time dad of three girls, Mr Spitzer is aiming to raise £500 for Mercy Ships, which operates the largest charity hospital ship in the world, docked in the port of Cotonou, Benin before it moves to Cameroon later this year.

He said: “I've had the privilege of having plenty of time to train for this and I'm going to be uninjured, rested and sorted out, so that lets me feel ready for the challenge, as I know I will be pushing my body to the absolute limit.

"It's taken considerable cost and effort to get to this state of readiness, and I’m both excited and nervous.”

He added: “I am blessed to have the full support of my wife and three daughters Isabel, Clara and Rosa, and as a family we all thought it was a great idea to run for such a good cause."

Water is rationed and each runner must carry their own food, sleeping equipment and cooking utensils on the 250km ultramarathon.

Mr Spitzer also said that he will be looking to start work in a school after completing the race.

To donate to his page, visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/markspitzer1