SWINDON firefighter Lee Morse is out to empty pockets at the town’s fire station by coming home in a respectable time at the London Marathon.

The 32-year-old will get £1 for every minute he finishes under four hours after a bout of mickey-taking turned into a serious bet. He is running his first marathon in aid of the Fire Fighters’ Charity, which has helped several members of staff in Swindon recently.

“I’m not the tallest bloke on earth and they started off saying I would lose an inch when I run the marathon,” he said.

“Then they said that they wouldn’t give me a fixed donation, but they would sponsor me a pound for every minute under four hours.

“It’s all driving me on even more and I’m determined to do it by at least 20 minutes.

“The bet involves my Watch at the moment but I’m hoping to get the whole station involved.”

Lee, who is one of the shortest members of his watch at 5ft 7ins, took up running after the birth of his second child brought an end to Saturdays and Sundays playing football.

The Fire Fighters’ Charity helps frontline staff who put their lives on the line and also provides support for their families.

Lee, who lives in Cirencester but was born and bred in Swindon, said: “A few guys at the station have had help from the charity.

“There have also been several deaths on duty in recent years, which have put the work the charity does into sharp focus.”

Lee, of Red Watch, has been training intensively but is now resting ahead of the moment of truth on Sunday.

“It’s been very intense.

“I want to push myself and do it under four hours, which is a big challenge for a non-runner,” he said.

“It’s been tough. I’ve had a bit of mickey-taking at the station so that should drive me on.”

To sponsor Lee visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/ sponsorleemorseplease.