The Cumbria campaigner behind a petition against using animal fat in £5 notes is now taking on the London Marathon to stop animals being used in laboratories.

Doug Maw, of Keswick, started a petition calling on the Bank of England not to use tallow - an animal fat - in its polymer £5 notes.

The petition gathered 130,000 signatures and now the Bank of England is inviting people to share their views in a consultation.

Mr Maw said: "I urge people to engage with the consultation and give their considered views.

"I am disappointed that the Bank are considering using palm oil instead, as I explained in my meeting with them that palm oil would cause a huge backlash too.

"We need to tell them that neither animal parts nor unsustainable palm oil are acceptable."

Mr Maw has been offered a place in the London Marathon on Sunday, April 23, and is going to run for Animal Free Research UK.

He said: "There is no need for animals to be used in research as many more effective and accurate methods are now available to us. I hope people will sponsor me by going to http://bit.ly/2nH8jow ."

For more information on the Bank of England consultation visit www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/polymer/Pages/pc2017.aspx