A man who is running the length of Britain took a detour from his 1,000 mile journey to have breakfast in a Watford pub this morning.

Andy Jackson, from London, is running from John O' Groats to Lands End in a Mr Happy costume, and has come out of his way to take part in this weekend's London Marathon.

There, despite having already covered nearly a full marathon every day since February 27, he hopes to finish in under four hours and break the Guinness World Record for the fastest costumed runner.

Mr Jackson said: “It's been good, my knees are a bit sore and I've got some bad toe nails but that's to be expected really.

“The training was tough, especially the 100-mile weeks, but I've always stayed fit and run a marathon every year.”

Together with his father Alan and support rider Charlie Lewis, he visited The Moon Under Water in Watford High Street, for a much needed fry up, and a £500 cheque from the managing director of Wetherspoons, Tim Martin.

The 26-year-old was diagnosed with Leukaemia eight years ago, and is aiming to raise £250,000, for charity during his run, which consists of nearly a full marathon every day for 70 days.

Mr Jackson, from Stoke Newington said: “I was diagnosed in 2003 when I was 18-years-old. I'd gone to the opticians with headaches and dizzy spells and they found haemorrhages at the back of my eyes.

“Within 24 hours I'd gone from the optician to a ward in the hospital where I was told I had Leukaemia.

“I just remember feeling shocked, and I felt guilty because my mum had terminal bowel cancer so I felt bad for giving her something else to worry about.

“The inner strength my mum had to hold on to see that was I was ok keeps me going. But mostly I feel like I'm lucky to be here and owe it to the people who have sponsored me to keep going.

“There's not way to back down now. I've run in all four seasons of blizzards and rain to wind and sunshine.”

Alan Jackson, who has followed his son around the country in a camper van, said: “We finished just north of Watford on Sunday and went home for a rest. Today we'll be going to Slough on the Union Canal and then to Reading tomorrow.

“He's trying to beat the record for the fastest fictional character to run in the London Marathon, which currently stands at 4 hours and 1 minute by someone dressed as Sherlock Holmes.”

To donate visit the related link below, or text the word “Happy” to 70003, which will cost £3 plus the cost of a text.