MARATHON man Robbie Hoodless got the shock of his life when he was presented with a charity award.

Robbie, 65, has collected thousands of pounds for the Batten Support and Research Trust in Weymouth after running four marathons on behalf of the charity.

He has raised so much cash that members of the organisation decided to award him a special thank- you trophy.

Robbie, who works at the John Gregory pub in Radipole Lane, Weymouth, was left speechless after he was presented with the award.

He said he knew the charity was meeting up at the pub for a raffle prize draw but he had no idea they were also going to present him with the trophy.

He said: "It was a total surprise - but I am delighted.

"I felt really elated and very proud. I have just come back from running in Athens, Greece, and I believe I have raised about £2,000.

"It was very hard and quite an achievement."

Robbie, who lives in Westham, said there is a possibility he may decide to take part in another marathon for the charity.

Margaret Bennett, one of the charity's trustees, said: "He has now run four marathons in aid of the charity and has raised thousands of pounds for us.

"He has run a marathon in New York, two in Dublin and one in Athens so we thought he really deserved to be given an award. We didn't tell him about it and we engraved the trophy.

"He is a marvellous man."