A HUGE Brentford FC fan is hoping these go-faster stripes do the trick when he runs the London Marathon next month.

Stephen Reed, of Cranford Lane, Heston, will tackle the gruelling 26.2 mile course dressed as his club's mascot Buzz Bee.

The 31-year-old dustman has completed marathons in Paris and Jersey, with a highly respectable best time of 4h20m, but is in no doubt about the task ahead of him when he lines up on April 25.

He has already donned the costume once, at half-time during Brentford's 3-3 draw with MK Dons last month, and was dripping with sweat after less than 20 minutes despite the cold.

"I was running round shaking people's hands and posing for photos and when I took the costume off I was soaked. What am I going to be like after 26 miles?" he said.

"I've done it before in a little over four hours but this time I'll just be happy to finish the course."

Stephen, who has a 10-year-old daughter, is running in aid of the British Heart Foundation, whose research has helped thousands of people like his grandfather Fred.

"My grandfather's suffered heart problems since the age of 39. He's now 73 and on his second pacemaker, but if it wasn't for the research by BHF and associated charities he probably wouldn't be here today," said Stephen, who has supported the Bees since the age of four.

Brentford manager Andy Scott also suffers heart problems. His playing career ended abruptly in 2005, when he was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a potentially fatal condition, after coming off at half time during a match for Leyton Orient.

To support Stephen, visit www.justgiving.com/buzzbee.