AMPUTEE Helen Chapman’s lifelong dream has been running the London Marathon.

She lost the lower part of her right leg in 1998 due to a car crash injury that never properly healed.

Since then she has competed in a host of sporting events, including the Amputee Games, using a variety of prosthetics.

But the prosthetics could not keep up with Helen’s desire to take part in high impact sports.

Last year she entered the London Marathon, but when she tried to run she cracked her fake limbs.

She was forced to hobble around the course, but vowed to return to run the marathon properly.

This year she fulfilled her dream, with the help of a brand new running blade.

Helen said: “It was amazing. Actually running it with the blade was a wonderful experience."

Read this week's Clacton Gazette for Helen's full story and a complete London Marathon roundup.