A trio of lifeboat men from north Norfolk are set to take on the gruelling task of running the London Marathon wearing their full lifeboat kit.

Will Amey, along with two other members of Cromer lifeboat crew, Jason King, and Dean Johnson, are set to run the London Marathon when it takes place on April 17 this year, raising money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

But they will be making the run even harder for themselves as they will be dressed in their full inshore lifeboat kit, drysuit, life jacket and helmet.

Their target is to raise �9,000 in sponsorship, and they are well on their way, having collected around �1,300 so far, which includes �200 from a bucket collection at one of the Cromer Pier Christmas shows at the end of last year.

Other fundraising events are also planned at the Morrisons store in the town where Jason, 34, is a manager, including a charity bag-pack.

The team are also hoping to get permission to do a bucket collection at Carrow Road in Norwich at some point.

Will, 31, said: 'The big test is when we do it in the suits, we have got to test that beforehand so we can find out any problems, and try and make it as comfortable as possible.'

The trio have also started training hard, with Will having joined a gym and Dean and Jason, 34, both building up their stamina on 10-13 mile runs.

Part of their training for the marathon also involves running up and down the east beach in Cromer, during lifeboat exercises.

Dean, 37, said: 'It will be an enjoyable day, raising money for a good cause, wearing the uniform as well also advertises the RNLI.'

And they have all made a pact - to cross the finish line together.

An online blog from the trio, detailing their training progress, can be found via www.cromerlifeboats.org.uk

To donate to the cause, visit www.justgiving.com/cromercrew/

Also taking part in the marathon is Joshua MacCallum-Stewart, 33, who lives in Blakeney and works at the Blakeney Hotel.

He is running in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Centre and is aiming to raise �2,000.

His justgiving page is www.justgiving.com/Joshua-MacCallum-Stewart