An Oswestry hairdresser is preparing once again to take on the London Marathon.

Julie Davies - also known as ‘The Running Hairdresser’ - will be swapping her scissors for steps when the gruelling 26.2-mile race takes place around the streets of the Capital on the morning of Sunday, April 22.

It will be the sixth year that the 42-year-old owner of BoyzIIMen on Willow Street has run the marathon and she is running in aid of The Severn Hospice in memory of her father.

She told the Advertizer: “I’m thrilled that I’m injury-free at the moment, so that’s good.

“I ran the Oswestry and Chester half marathons last year and then I injured myself so I didn’t run between July and November, so it’s been like starting again from scratch.

“I started my training just before Christmas and I ran the Nick Beer 10km in Llandudno, then I’ve got the Wrexham 20-mile next weekend which is one of my big training runs.

“I would like to be running a bit quicker than I am at the moment but I hope that will come.”

Julie is hoping to break the four-hour barrier this year having run the course in four hours and 22 minutes in 2017.

She continued: “I have a tenancy to go out to quickly at the start so I need to pace myself.

“When I ran the Wrexham Half Marathon last weekend I went with the pacer and that felt good, they were really consistent, so hopefully I can do the same in the London Marathon and that will help me.

“I just need to pace myself a bit better.”

In previous years Julie has gained a ballot place in the London Marathon, but this year she was given a place through the Severn Hospice with the target of raising £1,500.

She added: “I’m already past £2,500 which is really great.

“I’m really pleased with how much I have raised already - people have been amazing and so generous.

“I raised £7,000 last year but I’m not expecting that again.”

As part of her fundraising efforts Julie is again running a ‘Guess My Time’ sweepstake which is available for people to take part in at her shop, while she is also donating her tips raised between now and April 22.

To sponsor Julie visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JulieDaviestherunninghairdresser or alternatively visit the salon where there is a sponsor form.