A MARATHON effort from Liberal Democrat Councillor Anthony Rowlands has resulted in a cash boost for the St Albans Open Door Project.

Councillor Rowlands, who almost made his target time of three hours 30 minutes in this year's London Marathon, collected more than £4,000 in personal pledges for the homeless hostel.

He presented the cheque to Mrs Margaret Lewis, chairman of the St Albans and District Churches Housing Association which runs the Open Door shelter.

Mrs Lewis said: 'Thanks to this generous support from Anthony Rowlands and two other major donations, one from a private family trust and another from local Soroptimists, it will be possible to maintain Open Door services well into 2001.'

Anyone wishing to support Open Door hostel for the homeless should get in touch with the association on 01727 844181.