Charity sacks snail-paced runner

A fundraiser who completed this year's London Marathon dressed as a giant snail has been sacked for not making enough money.

Lloyd Scott is well known from previous marathon fundraising exploits including completing the 26.2-mile course in a deep-sea diving costume.

He hoped to raise at least £100,000 for the charity Action for Kids at this year's race but managed only £20,000.

Mr Scott, 49, who was director of fundraising at the charity, crawled a mile per day around the course dressed as Brian the snail from the children's television programme The Magic Roundabout.

Sally Bishop, founder of Action for Kids, confirmed the board of trustees had asked Scott to leave the charity.

In a statement, she said: "He was given notice according to his contract with us, due to losses incurred in his latest marathon.

"Due to limited resources, like all charities Action for Kids must make sure that we make the best possible use of our limited funds."