RACE For Life runner Lynne Bradley waited 20 years to wed sweetheart Andy Leather – because she thought taking his surname would make her sound like a porn star.

Lynne, 46, from Tiptree, said she could not face being called Lynne Leather.

She went as far as getting a wedding dress nine years ago, but got cold feet at the last minute.

Mum-of-four Lynne took up running to shed two-and-a-half stone before finally tying the knot at Braintree register office last year.

Now she is preparing for the Race for Life in Colchester’s Castle Park on Sunday, July 15, in the name of three family members who have all suffered from lung cancer.

Mum, Bridie, and dad, Bert, died of the condition, while brother, James, 57, has been told he has six to 12 months to live.

Lynne, a book-keeper for Anglian Electrics, in Colchester, said: “It’s awful but not totally unexpected because my mum and dad smoked all their lives and so has James.

“It can be prevented, but that doesn’t make the awful news any easier to stomach.”

Lynne has overcome skin cancer on her nose with laser surgery.

She urged women to run, jog or walk the 5k Race for Life.

She said: “You don’t have to be a good runner. The important thing is to get involved and help raise money for Cancer Research UK.”

Organisers want 3,500 women to take part and raise £210,000 for vital research.

To sign up, visit raceforlife.org or call 0871 641 1111 before entry closes next Thursday.