A PRESTATYN nail technician has successfully completed her first marathon on behalf of a family friend diagnosed with incurable cancer.

Vikki Jackson, 45 , crossed the finish line of the Chester Marathon in 4 hours and 14 minutes earlier this month, raising £2,700 which has been presented to staff Glan Clwyd Hospital's Cancer Unit.

Mother of one Mrs Jackson - who in the past has completed a half-marathon for St Kentigern Hospice three years ago - was inspired to take on the gruelling 26 mile challenge on behalf of Cynthia Thomas, 78 also of Prestatyn, who was diagnosed in April.

Louise Hands, Mrs Thomas' daughter, said: "Vikki is my friend and also lost her grandmother to cancer, so when she found out about my mum's diagnosis, she told us that she was going to run her first marathon.

"We've not had a great summer, and even in bad weather she went out training regardless because she had my mum and her grandmother in the back of her mind. She said that knowing what my mother is going through inspired her to keep going.

"She's absolutely phenomenal, to finish 47th in her category and get a time of 4 hours and 14 minutes at her first marathon is incredible."

A "pillar of the community", Mrs Thomas hired about 450 people as part of family business Thomas Care Group which managed multiple care homes between Rhyl and Llanrwst from the late 1970s until the businesses were sold in 2008.

Mrs Hands added: "Anyone who knows my mum - and she is very well known in the area - knows that she never gets ill.

"The staff at Glan Clwyd Hospital's Cancer unit are so incredible, my mum was really poorly in April but she's now at the stage where she can manage her cancer and she looked absolutely marvellous when we handed the cheque over.

"It means so much to us that Vikki has done this."