A PRIMARY school teacher from York is limbering up to take part in this year's Yorkshire Marathon to raise cash for a school trip.

Tom Precious, 32, who joined Tang Hall School at the beginning of term is already lining up for his first challenge, taking on next month's Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon.

The Year 6 teacher, who is a former Malton School pupil and grew up in Terrington, has taken part in the Liverpool marathon in the past, but this is the first time he has taken on the York run.

His endeavour will raise funds for the school's Year 5 and 6 residential trip next June, taking 32 children to the Frontier Centre in Northamptonshire where pupils will be able to take part in all manner of outdoor pursuits.

Mr Precious, who lives in Harton, just east of York, with his wife Cath, who is head teacher at Tang Hall, and their two daughters, aged four and one, said: "I took an assembly on Monday and told the children I was running the marathon so they are aware and I think they are beginning to realise that it's actually quite a long way. All my class have told me they'll come and see me run on the day.

"I think the outdoors trip will be an opportunity of a lifetime for the children. The idea is that they will be asked for a contribution and, depending how much I raise, we are hoping to be able to give that back.

"I don't have a specific target in mind, but buckets will be going round in school and any sponsorship can come in to school."

Mr Precious said he hoped to improve on his previous marathon run time of three hours and 50 minutes. The furthest he has run in training so far is 18 miles and he aims to do a final run on Sunday of between 20 and 24 miles.

Last year, 6,100 runners tackled the route around York and into the surrounding countryside, contributing an estimated £1 million to the local economy.

For more useful training tips from bloggers and in-depth coverage on the day visit www.yorkpress.co.uk/marathon

If you are taking part, tell us your story at alexander.ross@thepress.co.uk