A FAMILIAR-looking pair of moustachioed runners will be slogging their way through a 26-mile run to help a talented young woman compete in the Down's Syndrome World Swimming Championships.

Matthew Windows, 32, from Hamworthy, and Mark Chappell, 31, from Creekmoor, will be dressing up as the stars of the directory enquiry service 118 118 adverts to run from Upton to Weymouth on Saturday in their marathon-length feat.

The pair are raising money for 19-year-old Down's Syndrome swimmer Judith Cooling, who needs to raise £1,800 in sponsorship after she was selected to represent England at the international competition in South Africa.

Matthew said: "We saw a story about her in the Echo a few weeks ago and that inspired us to run the marathon, because what she's doing is quite a feat and she needs to raise a lot of money in order to do it.

"We've been down to see her swimming in Ringwood, and she's a very strong swimmer."

Lynwood School pupil Judith is training three times a week with Ringwood Seals for 50m and 100m front crawl and backstroke in preparation for the event.

She said she is looking forward to the championships, and is pleased that the men are going to help her.

Her mum Maureen said: "I think it's absolutely wonderful that two people would want to do this for somebody they didn't know. They seem to have put an awful lot of work into what they're doing, and I think they're really fantastic."

Anyone who would like to sponsor Matthew and Mark can contact Maureen on 01202 396137.