Cheesemaker prepares for London Marathon by weightlifting 27kg blocks of cheddar

And, he does it 200 times a day

A runner is preparing for the London marathon by weightlifting giant blocks of cheddar cheese.

Tom Elliott, 37, works as a cheesemaker at Ford Farm on Ashley Chase Estate in Dorchester, Dorset and is training to run the London marathon in April this year.

Incorporating his job into his preparation for the run, the dad-of-two lifts huge wheels of cheese, otherwise known as truckles, that weigh up to 27kg.

He does so up to 200 times a day, taking the cheese 200 feet underground into the caves at Wookey Hole, Somerset, where it ages before hitting supermarket shelves.

Aside from his cheddar weightlifting, Elliott also wakes up at 5am each morning to go on a run around West Dorset’s challenging landscape.

He will be running the London marathon in order to help raise funds for children’s charity, Phab Kids – an organisation which encourages and supports children and adults with and without disabilities to make more of life together.

Tom Elliott hopes to raise funds for children’s charity, Phab Kids (SWNS)

The charity has existed for nearly 60 years, and helps to organise activity projects ranging from archery to abseiling to table tennis.

“The time has come for me to take on the life time goal of completing a marathon,” Elliott said.

”Having been a keen runner for many years I always wanted my first marathon to be a big event, and I’m sure everyone would agree it doesn't get much bigger than the London Marathon.

“This day was made even more eventful for me in 2013, when my daughter Flori was born on the day of the London Marathon itself.”

With two half-marathons already under his belt, Elliott admits that the challenge ahead consists of distances “completely unknown” but that it serves as a great opportunity to help raise money for a wonderful charity.

To donate to Tom, you can visit his Just Giving page here.