THE marathon men and women of Worcestershire are still recovering following the pounding their limbs took on the 26 miles and 385 yards of London's streets.

Thousands of pounds have been raised for numerous causes by all those who took part in one of the world's biggest marathons on Sunday.

Schoolteacher Sue Lewis was elated after completing the run on behalf of Worcester Samaritans.

Sue, who is deputy head at Flyford Flavel First School, had never run a full marathon before and stepped in at short notice when last year's runner, Richard Sanders, a captain in the Adjutant General's Corps, was sent to Iraq.

"I have done the half marathon in two hours, so I was hoping to finish in about four hours, but I just hit a wall at 20 miles and had to walk the last part," said Sue, aged 35, who comes from Tibberton.

Steven Lewis, from Warndon, raised around £800 for the Children with Leukaemia Charity, which will be matched by his employers, Network Rail, through their Partners in Giving Scheme.

The 29-year-old signalman finished the course in 3hrs 32mins.

Fitness fanatic Katy Carver from St Dunstan's Close, Worcester, raised more than £1,500 for the Parkinson's Disease Society.

The 40-year-old, who works as a fitness consultant for Fitness Business, based in Foregate Street, said she had a great time.

Toolmaker Martyn Dorr, of Spetchley, also went through the pain barrier to finish the marathon.

His wife, Teresa, said her 34-year-old husband "hit the wall" after 17 miles and injured his leg, but he struggled on for the remaining nine miles to finish in 4hrs 52mins.

Mr Dorr, who works for Worcester company Joy Mining, raised £1,500 for Leukaemia Care.

Det Con Annie Hamer, from Worcester division's domestic violence unit, completed the marathon with Reality worker Denise Griffiths on behalf of the Children with Leukaemia charity.

The duo have so far raised a massive £2,400 with money still pouring in. They crossed the line in a time of 4hrs 48mins.

Agricultural consultant Stuart Brown clocked an impressive time of 3hrs 37mins running for the Anthony Nolan Trust.

The 49-year-old from Leigh Sinton was 17 minutes outside his previous best.

The Evening News' Jenny Matthews finished in 5hrs and 5mins, though she is waiting for her official time.

The advertising manager was one member of the Worcester NSPCC team which hopes to have raised £10,000. Alan Matthews and Jamie Evans finished in just under four hours, Paul Price in over four hours, Chris Skellern 4hrs 47mins and David O'Dwyer just over 5hrs.