A landlord who used to quaff eight pints of beer a day has not touched a drop for seven months to raise money for charity.

Mark Powell, 42, has taken on the challenge of a year long Dryathlon in a bid to support Cancer Research UK and to improve his health and fitness levels.

Now he is urging people to join him this September in bidding bon voyage to booze while funding life-saving research into the disease.

Mark, who has lived at The Plough in High Road, Wilmington since he was 10 and took over as landlord eight years ago, said: “This has been harder for me than any marathon. The hardest part was to get through the first month. Once I’d got to that point it gradually started to become normal.

“It’s a mental challenge more than anything else. But I’m very determined. Once I’ve said I’ll do something I stick to it.

“Before I started Dryathlon in January I was drinking seven to eight pints every day. I was getting worried that it had become a habit and I knew it was impacting on how well I was able to train.

“Now I’m fitting in more training runs, trips to the gym and spin classes. I’m hoping to get a London Marathon place for next year so this will stand me in good stead.

"The combination of extra exercise and less booze has meant I’ve lost lots of weight. In January I was 13.7 stone and now I’m down to 11 stone.

“It is tough being in a pub all day and not being able to have a drink. I can’t see many landlords wanting to take it on.”

Mark has lost several friends and family members to cancer including his uncle which is why he is so passionate about supporting Cancer Research UK.

"This has been harder for me than any marathon." - Mark Powell, landlord

He said: “I’ve just made it to seven months so I’m absolutely adamant I’m going to make it to a year. Knowing I’m raising money to help beat cancer sooner has really helped me avoid temptation and stay focussed.

“Celebrating my birthday with a lime and soda was tough and I know I’ll miss having a drink on Christmas Day but it will be worth it at midnight on New Year’s Eve when I have my first sip of lager. Although I probably won’t even like it by then!”

Pub regular Paul Allen said: “Mark is constantly tempted by locals offering to buy him drinks and encouraging him to fall off the wagon.

"Everyone is very supportive in terms of sponsorship but they have not made it easy for Mark to stick with it. He has done brilliantly to get this far and I’m confident he will make it to New Year’s Day.”

Dryathlon is the original fundraising campaign that invites social drinkers to take a month-long break from alcohol. “Dryathletes” pledge to stay dry for a month and either get sponsored or donate the money they would have spent on alcohol to the charity.

To sponsor Mark visit: www.justgiving.com/Mark-Powell-dryathlete20152015